Qualified at the end of the suspense for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, with a victory on penalties on Friday against the amateurs of Mérignac, Stade Lavallois and its coach did not really appreciate playing on a pitch at catastrophic state.
Some will see the old-fashioned charm of the Coupe de France, others a pure aberration. Despite the qualification of Stade Lavallois for the round of 16 of the competition, after a victory snatched on penalties in Gironde against the amateurs of Mérignac 0-0, 4-3 tab), Olivier Frapolli looked like bad days at the outcome of the meeting.
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At issue: the catastrophic state of the pitch at the Robert-Brettes stadium, an enclosure usually used… by the local rugby club. “This evening I honestly didn't enjoy it,” admitted the Mayenne coach, somewhat disillusioned.
“I didn’t enjoy it”
“These are televised matches, we meet a playful team of good quality. You cross France, you travel 12 hours by bus to come and play on a rugby field. I don't understand how in the regulations… OK the lighting and security. But why is the playing area never an argument for playing a football match? It's the 32nd finals, it's broadcast on TV. People are entitled to see a show…” , insisted Frapolli in conference press.
For the 6th in Ligue 2 as for the resident of Regional 1 (6th division), who long believed in the feat, we had to deal with seriously damaged grass, with certain places covered in sand. “I didn't enjoy it. We are qualified and I am happy for my players, the objective has been achieved, but I am disappointed with the evening”, concluded Frapolli. He will return to Le Basser after the holidays, on January 4, for a shock against Lorient as soon as the championship resumes.
