Saturday November 30, at 6 p.m., FC Valence (R3) faces Martigues (L2) for the 8th round of the Coupe de France, at the Pompidou stadium. Interview with Brigitte Armand, president of the Valentinoise surprise.
It's the match of a lifetime. After releasing Marignane (N2), which plays four levels above, FC Valence (R3) will face a professional club for the 8e national cup round: FC Martigues, resident of Ligue 2. Six divisions separate the two teams. Two days before kick-off, the president of the Valentin club (little thumb of the competition with Le Touquet) Brigitte Armand looks back on this epic, and on a match where the amateur and professional worlds will share the same green rectangle.
PL: How is one of the new little thumbs of the Coupe de France doing?
Alright ! In the meantime, we had to move from the euphoria of the Coupe de France to reality. For the players, it's hard to refocus on the championship. They experienced something magnificent.
PL: Tell us about that evening of November 16, when your players brought out a team that played four levels above yours.
I experienced it under stress. We score at 6e minute and then we had to hold on until the 94e…It was very long. The last ten, I’m not even telling you (laughs). Afterwards it was an explosion of joy, with the invasion of the pitch, the euphoria of the players… It was magnificent.
PL: What was your reaction when you learned that you were playing for a professional club?
Like the draws of 7e and you 8e tour were done at the same time, we knew it was going to be them. We already wanted a great poster for the previous round. It's done, we're happy. For some players, facing a pro team will only happen once in their life.
PL: What will you say to your players before the match?
Usually I'm in the locker room with them but as there's a lot of organization, I don't know if I'll be there. If I can, I'll tell them: let's go, it's for you!
PL: You will be hosts of the Pompidou stadium for a second time. How do you prepare for this reception?
We organize ourselves with the federation, the police, the town hall… In the previous round, it was easier, we didn't receive a professional team. There we have stricter conditions. For example, there needs to be a Red Cross post. […] . The refreshment bar and the stewards are our licensees.
PL: Information on ticketing?
We have set two prices: €5 for adults, and €3 for children under 16 years old. The ticket office will be open on the day of the match, we only sell tickets at the stadium.
PL: What does this crazy epic bring to FC Valence?
We upgraded our image. We conveyed an image that was not very positive. There we showed that we were capable of bringing in a different audience, from different neighborhoods, from different cities. It’s a plus for Valencia.
PL: What do those who don’t have a good image of your club think?
We have the image of a neighborhood club. But every time an opponent comes to play with us, it goes very well. These are just prejudices.
PL: Do you expect an increase in licensees at the club?
Maybe. We have former players who want to come back! To see over time…
PL: Do you believe in a new exploit?
It’s the Coupe de France, anything can happen (laughs). We didn't expect the victory in the previous round. Before facing Marignane, we said to ourselves that it was going to be very hard. This is going to be very, very hard. But hey, we'll take things as they come.
Info
Report and reactions of the match can be found on our website.
