The Alsatian club lost 3-1 against the Ligue 1 side on Sunday December 22. After the meeting, the players were happy to have written a beautiful page in the history of ASM.
In a flash, a two against two takes shape. Launched in depth, Gauthier Bertaux serves Thomas Schall perfectly in the area. The center forward of the Still-Mutzig Association (ASM) does not need to be asked: he adjusts Yehvann Diouf without control, with his right foot. The 2,500 spectators at the Molsheim stadium were capsized, the small Alsatian club had just equalized at 1-1 against the Stade de Reims.
A moment of shared, suspended happiness, which ASM fans will remember. Unfortunately for the residents of Regional 1 (R1), this goal was not enough to trip up the Rémois on Sunday December 22.
The men of Jacky Duguépéroux, former glory of the Strasbourg Racing club, finally lost 3-1 in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France. The end of an adventure that will have kept them in suspense for several months.
The beautiful chain of Gabriel Moscardo
It all started badly for the Alsatians. Even before the 10th minute of play, with a nice right foot, left foot sequence, Gabriel Moscardo opened the scoring and set the pace for a one-sided half-time, without the Rémois managing to add to the score. .
“I think we respected them too much. We were a little intimidated to meet a Ligue 1 team,” admitted Jacky Duguépéroux after the match.
Coming out of the locker room, the ASM players showed a different state of mind. The message of remobilization from the Alsatian coach seems to have gotten through.
The amateurs therefore returned to the mark, at the hour mark, but collapsed six minutes later. Mamadou Diakhon, launched from deep, gives the Champenois the advantage. In a twist of fate, the latter is Alsatian, he was born in Strasbourg.
In the process, Thomas Schall has a new cartridge to exult the Molsheim stadium, but he stumbles on the Reims goalkeeper. This will be the last major opportunity for the amateurs before Sangui (76') puts an end to the suspense.
The magic of the Coupe de France
“The desired goal was qualification. But hey, we know that it would have been a very great achievement,” puts Jacky Duguépéroux into perspective. For the Alsatian coach, the important thing was “especially [de] show a positive image of the club, of our team. And I believe that in that respect, it’s a success.”
Antonin Charlier, midfielder, only remembers the positive despite the slight bitterness of the defeat: “It's hard, but no regrets. It's a magical moment. With all the spectators there, there was no There's nothing to regret. Missing a chance, it happens, we can't use them all.”
Same story from the scorer, Thomas Schall: “We sent a great message. Another big thank you to the club, to the volunteers who did a tremendous job. I think the public appreciated it.”
“It will remain engraved in the club”
Aurélien Schaller, defender, is happy to have written a page in the history of the ASM. “It will remain engraved in the club. It's the second time for the club. I'm thinking of the veterans, some who didn't return, who already did that in 2018. I hope they were happy to do so. outside and I hope we enjoyed everyone.”
He has no regrets either. “We're trying to get up to speed, but there's a gap, eh. Physically, they're other guys,” he laughs.
The last word goes to Mathieu Welschinger, captain of the club: “I'm 35 years old. I think it will be my last, unless I have a little luck. But it's wonderful with this young team. I'm proud of the team, I am proud of the club and I am happy this [dimanche] evening”.
Two Alsatian clubs will be competing in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. The Racing club of Strasbourg, which will act as the overwhelming favorite against ES Thaon, a National 3 club. And Haguenau, an N2 team, which will have the heavy responsibility of welcoming Dunkerque, one of the thrilling teams of the season of Ligue 2.
Matthieu Chanvillard with Florian Bouhot
