Football: in the Coupe de France, all of Gard’s hopes rest on Alès

“I'm talking to you about a time that those under twenty cannot know…” The one during which the Stade de la Prairie, which did not yet bear the name of the emblematic coach Pierre Pibarot, hosted the Coupe de France matches played on neutral ground. Some matches have become legendary like this Nîmes-Marseille in 1970 (1-0) or those where La Paillade brought Montpellier Football back to life by taking out Marseille and Nice in the Cévennes.

The bitter memory of the 8-1 in Cannes last season

It is certainly this particular climate that will have to reign on the Alesian lawn this Saturday for Lucas Franco and his team to reach the round of 32 and eliminate an opponent they know well, having faced him last season in National 2 . And the OAC, even if it has changed a lot, remembers it. Especially the 8-1 conceded on the Croisette…

The OAC remains on two convincing performances

Speaking of a slap, after the one received in Villefranche-sur-Mer (3-4) having led twice and a defeat of the same type in Fos with a goal taken in the last minute (2-3), the men of Hakim Malek (5th in N3) remain with two convincing performances against Beaucaire in the Cup and the OM reserve in the championship.

Without Nicolas Bénézet, package

In the first meeting, they were able to overcome two handicap goals (4-2). In the second, they stripped down to snatch victory in the final moments (1-0). Coach Hakim Malek expects from his group “that he gives the best image of himself to satisfy our public and seek qualification. The bad news of the week is Nicolas Bénézet’s package”.

The lessons of Graulen Morgan Marion, eliminated in the previous round

Eliminated in the previous round by Cannes (0-2), also 15th and penultimate in Pool A of N2, Grau-du-Roi coach Morgan Marion delivers some lessons: “They have great technical quality in midfield with Goncalves and Blanc, but also an ability to change the system of play very quickly. This is what caused us the most problems. Their weak point lies, in my opinion, in their difficulty getting back into position when playing high up, quick attackers can easily put them in danger in these moments.. The Cevennes will-o’-the-wisps will appreciate…

We will also follow with great interest the duel between the former Cannes pro Cheikh Ndoye (38 years old, 1.91 m) and the Alésien Datoumcaroul Dole (23 years old, 1.98 m). Without doubt one of the keys to the match. And the feat?