Paris, France – A wave of relief washed over the Stade Jean-Bouin on Sunday as Paris FC secured a vital 3-2 victory over fellow relegation contenders Le Havre. The win propelled the promoted side to 31 points in Ligue 1, significantly boosting their chances of avoiding an immediate return to Ligue 2. The atmosphere was palpable, with Paris FC majority shareholder Antoine Arnault visibly relieved after the final whistle. This victory, according to those in the camp, feels like more than just three points.
Last season, Le Havre finished 15th in the Ligue 1 standings, securing their safety with 34 points. Paris FC’s current total of 31, with seven matches remaining, puts them in a promising position, though captain Pierre Lees-Melou cautioned against premature celebration. “The maintenance isn’t secured, but it’s definitely a very important win,” Lees-Melou stated after the match. “But as long as it’s not mathematically certain, we’re not safe. We just wanted to win, and we did, which is good, even though we were scared at times. We didn’t make things easy for ourselves with the red card, but we pulled it off, and we’ll grab the positives.”
The victory comes at a slightly unusual time for Paris FC, with five players departing for international duty. Diego Coppola will join the Italian national team, Moses Simon will represent Nigeria, Luca Koloesho has been called up to the Italian Under-21 squad, Rudy Matondo will feature for the French Under-19 team, and Nhoa Sangui will join the French Espoirs. Despite these absences, head coach Antoine Kombouaré rewarded his team with three days of rest, recognizing their recent strong form.
Kombouaré’s Impact: Eight Points in Four Matches
Kombouaré’s arrival has undeniably sparked a turnaround for Paris FC. He’s overseen a remarkable eight points from four matches – two home wins and two draws away from home – a record that has validated the decision by the club’s ownership to bring him on board. The objective was clear: instill a renewed sense of spirit and energy into a team that was drifting towards danger. That gamble appears to be paying off, and Paris FC is now poised to avoid a nail-biting finish to the season.
“From the beginning, some people questioned what I was doing here,” Kombouaré remarked, seemingly unfazed by external criticism. “But I don’t care what people think. They’re free to say and think what they desire. What’s important is winning matches, and especially finishing as high as possible in the standings. It’s a huge satisfaction to reach 30 points today. That was the goal. Winning is all that matters to move up the table.”
Yet, Kombouaré isn’t content with simply securing survival. He has ambitions to climb the table. “The numbers don’t interest me much,” he admitted. “My goal is to chase the teams ahead of us. To do that, we need to continue to improve. You’ll see things I didn’t like. Even with ten men, we need to be capable of preventing goals.”
Building Fortress Jean-Bouin
The win over Le Havre was built on a strong attacking performance in the first half, featuring a revitalized Ciro Immobile and a dynamic Moses Simon. Paris FC did face a setback with the 55th-minute expulsion of Rudy Matondo, which forced them to play defensively for a significant portion of the match. “It’s not easy because we knew we’d have to fall back and suffer a bit more, and that’s logical,” explained Lees-Melou. “And we conceded a goal relatively soon after the sending-off, so we thought it would be a long afternoon. But I didn’t sense any panic.”
The team’s resilience and determination were evident as they continued to press for a winning goal. “We knew there would be opportunities, like the third goal, and then we managed the game,” Lees-Melou added. “We’re starting to become solid at home, with two consecutive wins, so that’s a positive sign.” Adding to the positive atmosphere was Ciro Immobile’s first goal for Paris FC, a moment of pure joy for the Italian striker after eight appearances for his fresh club.
“I’m happy for him,” Kombouaré said. “You could see all his teammates congratulating him. He’s been waiting for this for a long time. When you’re an important player arriving at a struggling team, you experience the eyes on you, and everyone wonders if you’re finished. This goal rewards his efforts. He’s regaining his rhythm because he’s playing regularly. He’ll continue to improve and will be very valuable to us for the rest of the season.” Immobile will have another opportunity to showcase his form this Saturday when Paris FC faces Red Star (Ligue 2) in a friendly match.
For Paris FC supporters, the journey to Ligue 1 safety is far from over, but the recent results under Antoine Kombouaré have instilled a renewed sense of optimism. The team’s ability to grind out results, even under pressure, suggests they have the character and resilience to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. The next few weeks will be crucial as they look to solidify their position and secure their place in the French top flight for another season.
Paris FC’s next challenge comes against Red Star in a friendly match this Saturday, providing a valuable opportunity to maintain momentum before returning to Ligue 1 action. Fans will be eager to see if the team can continue their impressive form and build on the foundation laid by Kombouaré.
What are your thoughts on Paris FC’s chances of staying up? Share your predictions in the comments below!
