This meeting will not necessarily be richer in lessons than the previous ones but it will give color to this Sylvain Ripoll version of En Avant Guingamp. Six months after his arrival on the banks of the Trieux, the Lorient technician has given pep and personality to a team that no one could dream of anymore. On the morning of this last match of the year, what the Costa Rican team offers with its means is enough to delight football fans who were beginning to despair. However, an early elimination in the Coupe de France, against an opponent of the same caliber, would tarnish the trend somewhat.
The chance to receive
“It’s important to go on vacation on a positive note,” says the former Espoirs coach. Everyone wants it. I am hopeful that we will remain very focused until Sunday evening. We are lucky to receive, even in terms of concentration it is better. After our misadventure in Bastia, for which we are responsible (3-1 defeat, December 13, Editor's note), we have the chance to have a match right behind us to quickly move on to something else. I hope we will take this opportunity to validate our first half of the season. »Qualification for the round of 16 would also illustrate a form of progression for a club which has never progressed beyond the 32nd stage since its descent to Ligue 2 (2019).
Possible deadlines in January and February
This final outing is therefore of considerable importance to spice up an exercise that the championship will perhaps not be enough to brighten up. Seventh in Ligue 2, the Guingampais are still in the race for the play-offs but the lightness of their squad does not guarantee anything in terms of their ability to maintain the tempo. “We want to extend our course in the Coupe de France,” says Sylvain Ripoll. If only to have deadlines in January (the 16th will take place on January 15, the eighth and quarters on February 5 and 26, Editor's note). And then it allows you to have rhythm and involve a whole group. » So many reasons not to stall at this stage of the competition.
