Le Puy, “serene and lucid” before its trip to Aveyron

The 7th round of the Coupe de France marks the entry into a new dimension for Comtal. If the Causenards have not drawn one of the Ligue 2s, which are just entering the fray, it is the (very) experienced team from Puy (N2) that they will welcome tomorrow. Especially since the duel will not take place on the Sébazac synthetic pitch, on which Guillaume Laneau's gang eliminated two N3s in the two previous rounds, but on the lawn of La Roque. A more spacious setting to compete against a team of three higher levels, which is first in its group, which has only conceded three goals in 10 days of the championship, and above all, which has reached the quarter-finals of the cup last season, by consecutively ousting two Ligue 2: Dunkirk and Laval.

“We know some of their strong points, particularly offensively”

“There is a capital of confidence that has increased, that's a certainty, but I don't think we feel very strong: the championship is very tight and we know the difficulty that certain higher level teams can experience in the Cup from France. So we are both serene and lucid.”analyzes Stéphane Dief, who has coached Le Puy since the summer of 2023 and who played in the Rodez Aveyron football attack during the 2000-2001 season, in CFA. And the technician knows well the excitement that this type of meeting brings and the difference it can make on the lawn. “It's another asset for them. Obviously they're going to be hugely supported. Obviously each incursion into our half of the field will allow the public to get fired up. So it's up to us to limit this kind of situation by being extremely serious from start to finish”he warns.

And if the cup reserves a part of the unknown for the teams which are discovering themselves, the Auvergne staff have prepared the ground a little. “ We know that there are many players who have passed through the ranks of Raf. Who have therefore had an interesting course in youth categories and who have mastered the tactical aspects of this type of meeting. We also know some of their strengths, particularly offensively. “lists Stéphane Dief. He continues: “ And off the pitch, the echoes I have heard are that there will be a lot of people. I know a little about the sector : there is a football culture in Rodez. I lived there for a year, and I even have a few friendships still there, so I know that there will be both people and an atmosphere. ” The decor is set.