Football – Coupe de France: Comtal at the foot of a mountain

“The worst draw”“this in-between is the worst draw”… The disappointment over not having caught one of the big fish that were the Raf or Clermont, the Causenards of Guillaume Laneau are preparing to experience, for many of them, one of the most exciting moments of their career : a 7th round of the Coupe de France, against Le Puy (N2).

And whatever happens on the La Roque lawn at around 9 p.m. on Saturday, their adventure will remain historic: they dethroned the club record the first time by reaching the 5th round, then a second time by going to the 6th, and finally by winning this famous 7th round, rhyming with the entry into the running of Ligue 2. All after having twice consecutively eliminated National 3 teams (Argelès then Blagnac), two levels above theirs.

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Dief, Puy coach: “Our alert level is important”

With a relocation to Onet, the opposing team's gauge goes up another notch. With the Auvergne leaders of their group and who have conceded only three goals since the start of the championship. So, is a third consecutive feat within Comtal’s reach? Especially since today's visitors will not take this meeting lightly. “We cannot take away from them what they have already done. If they are there, it is because there is quality. Our level of alert is high. We know that there are a lot of players who have passed through the ranks of Raf Who have therefore had an interesting course in youth categories and who master the tactical aspects of this type of meeting.noted Stéphane Dief, the Puy coach, at a press conference on Wednesday.

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However, the captain of Comtal, Benjamin Higonenc, and his partners do not intend to stop there. And they will not present themselves as victims when entering the lawn, “We have been working tactically all week to hope to counter them. We are living a waking dream. There will be more fights, more duels on grass than on synthetic. This will give us a bit more luck. It will be 90/10 . But why not?”hopes Captain Caussenard. Pushed by their numerous and noisy supporters, the locals want to pursue the dream, even if the step is high.

Higonenc: “The supporters will galvanize us”

Unfailing confidence in the competition, a grass lawn when the first frosts appear, which could help balance the debates, and a fiery audience, will serve as extra soul for the Aveyronnais. Who this time should adopt a more defensive style of play than usual, to avoid being countered and resist as long as possible.

“We may have a little more pressure at kick-off, due to the crowds expected to be present at the stadium, but it will galvanize us. Especially in difficult times”continues Higonenc. Difficult moments that they had been able to overcome during the two previous rounds, during which they had been behind before reversing the situation, the first time at the end of ninety minutes. Then in the penalty shootout, the second.

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The Auvergne of the former Raf reserve, Moussa Faty, will deplore the only absence of Abdelnour Soualhia, suspended. While Laneau will benefit from his entire group. Even if only 15 players instead of the 18 authorized will be checked on the match sheet, due to the reserve team's championship match, which is scheduled for Saturday in Rignac at the start of the afternoon (2:30 p.m.).

It remains to be seen whether the magic of Dame Coupe will, once again, work for the players of the causse.