Not that bad, quite the contrary. Despite sharing the points (1-1), the performance offered by Blois Foot on Saturday December 21 against Saint-Malo should be included among the great satisfactions of this first part of the season.
Faced with an opponent who presented himself undefeated and with seven consecutive victories, Léopold Maître's teammates offered a quality show, which the Allées public did not fail to salute, whose encouragement at the end of the match did not go unnoticed. However, this was not enough to push the Reds towards a sixth success.
“From behind, we exuded real serenity”
“We had a great match, one of our most intense this season, notes the captain. From behind, we exuded a real serenity, especially in the first session where we produced some beautiful sequences. »
On a pitch whose condition has once again caused concern, in particular the opposing coach (read below), the Blésois shook up a Saint-Malo team by playing with greater simplicity, particularly in attack: “We played more direct because we can't afford to play ball with this catastrophic pitch. We try to build but as soon as we cross the halfway line, we have to play higher because with short three-way play or throw-ins in the opponent's area, it's complicated.”.
Kryss Chapelle was active on his right side.
© (Photo NR, Jérôme Dutac)
With a flattering score for the leader at the break (1-0) – “it could have been 2-0” -, Blois Foot will just regret this moment of fateful error on a set piece after returning from the locker room, like a week earlier in Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Hilaire where a free kick had allowed the Loirétains to take the lead.
With a match that he places in his top 2 or 3 with that of Bordeaux, Léopold Maître is already planning for the future: “If in the second part of the championship, we manage to carry out all these actions, it can quickly increase. » In the standings and in the stands: “This evening, there were a few people, some noise, hoping that it would bring more spectators. Afterwards, we also have to win matches”.
As was the case at the start of the season, a little less during the fall: “We started well before experiencing a little slump. But playing the leader and imposing your game feels good. We must continue like this”.
To be confirmed on January 11 in Saint-Brieuc, for the last match of the first leg.
Saint-Malo coach, Gwenaël Corbin did not fail to criticize the state of the Allées pitch: “It's shameful to play on a pitch like that, there's no pleasure for anyone. We cannot develop football. I want to support Blois. Good luck to the players and congratulations to the coach for what they are able to do on a pitch like this. Even in the Coupe de France against district teams, we played on much better pitches. »
