Meux Leaders Gauchet and Paulus Sidelined by ACL Tears for Season

Le leader de D1 FFA Meux lost two key starters to anterior cruciate ligament tears during their 1-0 win against RWDM, walfoot.be reported.

Cruciate ligament tears for Gauchet and Paulus

Meux holds first place in the D1 FFA standings with a three-point lead over Union Rochefortoise after 12 matches, walfoot.be reported. However, their recent victory at the Edmond Machtens stadium against RWDM came with a severe cost. Right winger Lucien Gauchet and veteran goalkeeper Kenny Paulus both sustained complete anterior cruciate ligament tears during the fixture, sidelining them for the remainder of the season.

Gauchet underwent an MRI and consulted a specialist who confirmed the season-ending diagnosis, walfoot.be reported. The winger had scored one goal across 11 appearances this campaign.

“Quand Lucien est arrivé dans le vestiaire et nous a annoncé la nature de sa blessure jeudi, l’ambiance était lourde,” said Laurent Gomez, manager of Meux, L’Avenir reported. “C’est toujours une blessure traumatisante. On connaît les liens qui unissent nos joueurs, quand ça touche l’un des leurs, tout le monde est accablé. Mais ça fait partie du foot, on doit savoir passer au-dessus et trouver les ressources mentales.”

Meux Leaders Gauchet and Paulus Sidelined by ACL Tears for Season — Photo: L'Avenir

Clément Libertiaux replaces injured Kenny Paulus in goal

The injury to 39-year-old goalkeeper Kenny Paulus leaves his playing future uncertain given his age, walfoot.be reported. In response to the crisis, Meux will turn to Clément Libertiaux to guard the goal in the coming weeks, according to L’Avenir.

“Chaque semaine, je devais rester prêt à jouer à tout moment,” said Clément Libertiaux, goalkeeper for Meux. “Vu notre parcours et la dynamique de l’équipe, je n’avais qu’une chose à faire: travailler et me taire.”

Manager Laurent Gomez also called up youth players Flavien Massar and Anouar Elmrabet from P1 alongside backup goalkeeper Martin Vanval to train with the first team, L’Avenir reported.

RWDM struggles after Edmond Machtens defeat

In the opposing camp, RWDM suffered a 0-1 defeat following an early goal from Ethan Adam, who struck a volley into the top corner past Theo Defourny after a turnover by Ridwane M’Barki, bx1.be reported. The loss dropped Sébastien Grandjean’s side to sixth place in the standings with a record of one point from their last three matches, according to BX1.