The course in the Coupe de France ends in the fourth round for RC Saleux-Salouël (R3), eliminated after the penalty shootout on Sunday against AS Gamaches (R3). A disappointment for Antoine Mucke and his players who failed to put in a good performance against an affordable opponent.
Despite “a sluggish first half on both sides”, RC Saleux-Salouël quickly opened the scorein favor of an opposing counterattack following a cross from Adrien De Sousa. Not really in danger until the break, Antoine Mucke’s players could even have made the break. “When we come back from the locker room, they come to pick us up a little more and after three minutes we concede a penaltywho was outside the penalty area, but that’s how it is” annoys the Salouas coach. Despite strong moments, the team from the Amiens metropolis was unable to score a second goal. “During the penalty shootout, their goalkeeper takes out two of our penalties and puts the last one over” explains Antoine Mucke.
If he says he has no regrets about the penalty shootout, it is more about the match that the RC Saleux-Salouël coach has things to say about it. “In terms of aggressiveness, determination, we were not able to rise to the level of our opponent. We didn’t put the right ingredients. The Coupe de France is ruthless at that level. If we don’t score in the highlights we end up getting punished.” laments Antoine Mucke. A big disappointment for him and his players who experienced the joys of a memorable journey by reaching the 8th round three years ago.
Disappointment and injuries before the return of the championship
What also annoys the Salou coach is a scenario that is repeated compared to last season. “Last year, we were eliminated at exactly the same stage, fourth round, away, 1-1 and defeat on penalties” specifies Antoine Mucke. Especially since in two seasons, its players have never been able to play in front of their audience in the Coupe de France. “For two years, we haven’t played a Coupe de France match at home. This year, we played three matches, three away, last year the same” evokes, incredulously, the RC2S coach. And for the latter, this detail which is not one is important. “On Sunday, Gamaches had quite a few supporters, I think that gave them a little more emotion. In difficult times, their audience was a bit like the 12th man. When we play outside, it’s only in the mind. »
A match which will definitely not have brought much positive for Antoine Mucke and his men since, apart from a frustrating elimination from the Coupe de France, this match could have a harmful impact for the championship. While the list of absentees was already significant, two additional players are uncertain for the reception of US Chantilly 2 this weekend. ” Sunday, Mohamed Mouacha injured his anklethe opponent could have taken a red card and we wait Léo Tabart’s exam resultsso that’s a lot. » In a tough group, the ambition to maintain is therefore more important than ever and we will have to use matches like the one against Gamaches to correct the faults. “We will have to prepare well but above all avoid the mistakes that we reproduced between last week and this weekend. The gifts have to stop. We must quickly learn lessons from this match” concluded Antoine Mucke.
Simon Vasseur
Photo credits: Audrey Louette – Gazette Sports (archives)
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