Before challenging PSG, leader of Ligue 1, the players of FC Espaly (Haute-Loire) prepared seriously with a match against a good team from their championship, Bourgoin.
This Saturday evening, in its Viouzou stadium dug in the heart of an old stone quarry, Espaly conceded a draw at the end of the match (1-1) for this 12th day of National 3. A good dress rehearsal against Berjalliens as well competing in the Coupe de France, and who will challenge another big name in Ligue 1, Olympique Lyonnais.
Obviously, since the draw for the round of 16 last month, attention on this small club from Haute-Loire has increased tenfold and the phone of Christian Perbet, happy president of FC Espaly, never stops ringing. “More journalists!” », he smiles. The Little Thumb of the competition will indeed face the Parisian ogre on the volcanic lawn of the Marcel-Michelin stadium, in Clermont-Ferrand, this Wednesday, January 15, at 9 p.m. And dreams of a major feat.
“How much do you think we’re going to give them, guys? »
In the meantime, let’s have fun. “How much do you think we’re going to give them, guys? » says one of the team members to his hilarious crowd. “Obviously, we have nothing to do here, against PSG, but we will still play with our guts and see this improbable story through to the end,” assures Christian Perbet. “All the players are overmotivated. It was a nice Christmas present, this qualifier,” recognizes coach Lionel Vaillant, who arrived in Espaly last year.
“It’s a total blast!” We couldn’t have dreamed of better. PSG is just crazy, right? », laughs Thibault, a 22-year-old local, working in management, trained in Espaly and who will play on Wednesday against his idols. “The excitement is clearly building. It’s a childhood dream for us. I even have a little trouble realizing it,” confides his teammate Lilian, a student, hat screwed on his head.
A huge spotlight on the town
In this town of 3,700 souls, adjacent to the very religious Marian city of Puy-en-Velay, we begin to dream of a miracle. The city only buzzes with the club’s exploit. Even the mayor of Espaly sees it on a daily basis: “This morning, I was visiting the nursing home for greetings, and they only talked to me about the match! It’s a huge spotlight on our little town. The draw served us well by choosing PSG. In this period of gloom, it’s a bubble of optimism for everyone,” enthuses Christiane Mosnier, whose office is located just under the giant statue of Saint-Joseph.
A few hours before D-Day, everyone is working to make the event unforgettable. Ten buses chartered free of charge by the region will transport the luckiest people who have obtained the precious sesame on Wednesday. “The 15,000 places were gone in barely an hour! », underlines the president. A total of 2,000 places have been reserved for the players’ relatives and friends. Flags, drums and banners are already ready. The club even had Espaly’s cages dismantled to install them at the Michelin stadium, usually the scene of ASM’s rugby exploits. “We will bring our goals from Viouzou and we want our nets to shake! “.
