13th de Ligue 2 after a great comeback and a recent victory (4-0) against FC Martigues, theESTAC will try to finish the year 2024 well this Friday (8:45 p.m.). The Aubois are indeed preparing to host FC Metz in the 32nd final of the French Cup, opponent that they had already defeated (2-1) last September during the seventh day. A little over 24 hours before this last meeting of the year, the Trojan coach, Stéphane Dumontanswered questions from journalists at a press conference.
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An update on the group
« We still have Mathis Hamdi who is on the side and who will return just after the winter break, he will resume normally. Nicolas de Préville has been ill since last weekend. Nicolas Lemaître was bothered by a strike during the warm-up of the last match, on the finger. It’s been bothering him all week, we’ll see how we work tomorrow, if we take the risk or not. Zacharie Boucher was ill at the same time, so we have some reflection on the ground, particularly today (Thursday) after the session, but with complete peace of mind. »
Which team for this 32nd final?
« We want to continue to move forward and have continuity. Despite everything, in our last nine games, even in the positive series, each time we had a very different team. There are subtleties, depending on the state of fitness, what I feel, the adversity. But at no time are we on anything other than wanting to be as efficient as possible […] There is no consequence to the match, we are in the present moment and the ability to continue to move forward, to move forward, and to be efficient tomorrow (Friday). »
The poster against Metz
« They are a quality opponent, the best defense in the championship. It’s a team that has only lost three times since the start of the season, which has quality players and staff. […] I watched the match again (editor’s note: the 2-1 victory against Metz). Now it was at a different time in the season, either for them or for us. With some similarities in terms of players lined up, but it was different. There is a positive anchor despite everything, because we won that match. That day, I had the feeling that we had played a real Cup match. In this sense, it remains a distant match for me, but one that is especially remembered for that. Against this kind of quality team, you have to be able to deliver this kind of match with self-sacrifice and intensity, we know what to expect. »
Photo L’Est Éclair
