A priori, by opening the score away and maintaining its lead until the 81st minute, the DFCO could be frustrated to only bring back one point from its trip to Orléans. But Baptiste Ridira’s men are certainly not the most unfortunate. For our part, we take it without flinching because this Friday evening, the DFCO suffered a lot and had a lot of success. Aside from their goal, the USO players had at least five huge chances that could have, or should have, ended up in the back of the net. As for the Dijonnais, they only had a few chances and Vargas-Rios’ opening came following a very poor clearance and during a strong moment in Orléans. Looking at the match as a whole, not only is the draw point satisfactory but it is almost lucky.
Of course, we’re not going to apologize for having a bit of luck for once. In recent years, beyond the number of bad choices that led to its descent into hell, the DFCO has not enjoyed much success either. Even last season, the nudges of fate were rare. So much the better, then, if the wheel turns a little. And then, luck happens. By the state of mind, in particular. If over the last half hour, the DFCO liquefied a little, the mentality displayed during the match was still good, especially in defense. Despite a few errors, from Titebah to Makutungu via the two centrals, everyone pulled out as much as possible to counter the Orléans attacks. Ultimately, it is only fair that such commitment is rewarded from time to time with a little success. This success, however, will not be there in all matches if the DFCO lowers its flag as much as at the end of the match.
A Vargas-Rios addiction?
A drop in speed concomitant with the exit of the evening’s scorer, Hugo Vargas-Rios, in the 63rd. A coincidence? Probably not completely. Because beyond having opened the score, the former Manceau above all, as since the start of the season, brought a grinta, an energy and an activity to the midfield which greatly contributed to curbing the ardor of Orleans for more of an hour. After his exit, the Dijon midfielder seemed to become disorganized, no longer managing to stem opposing offensives and leaving his central hinge to suffer repeated waves.
« We’re doing well. We didn’t have our worst match in terms of efficiency, in terms of content, yes” – Baptiste Ridira.
It must be said that the DFCO is not very used to doing without the services of its vice-captain. He who had played the entirety of his team’s first 6 matches had so far only missed the 2nd period last week against Aubagne. Replaced by a Hamada in the leg against a team more comfortable technically than in the physical challenge and the pressing in the midfield, his absence was not really felt. Against Orléans, his return to the bench transformed the face of his team, and not in a good way.
The DFCO nevertheless has a good squad in midfield, between the promising youth of Chahid, Hamada and Moco, the experience of Marié and the relative consistency of Souici. Only here: despite this quality, last season was still missing this player capable of putting his foot on the ball, cutting passing lines, haranguing his teammates and holding the ball; hence, regularly, a certain lack of character in the midfield. The DFCO found this profile this season in the person of Vargas-Rios and, as if by chance, gained a few notches of mentality and character at the same time. Of course, the Franco-Argentinian is not the only architect of this state of mind but it is clear that he embodies it perfectly and that, without it, it withers somewhat.
Let’s therefore hope that the small physical glitches which led Baptiste Ridira to take him out prematurely last week will quickly leave him alone. Or that his teammates take more inspiration from his example to be able to compensate for his absences without getting into trouble.
@Gus21
THE NOTES
Man of the match: Hugo Vargas-Rios (6.3)
We might believe that it is his goal which places our left midfielder above his teammates on an individual level, but it is so much more than that… Without being in a great evening, there was a before and an after HVR, as we write above. Replaced in the 63rd by Shahidwho entered at a complicated time for the team and who was unable to stem the numerous opposing offensives. We prefer him in this No. 6 role than on one side. Shouldn’t we test him in an attacking midfielder, at least once in the future?
Delecroix (4,8) : not very reassuring on certain aerial balls because stuck to his line or jostled, the former Niort player did not have much to do with the equalization of the Loirétains. However, we did not feel the serenity that should emanate from a doorman with his experience, let’s hope that it is only a postponement.
Titebah (5,1) : if it was more complicated on the offensive level, we keep in mind several crucial moments in transition in which the right back made important defensive gestures to protect his goals. Titebah, he fights. Replaced in the 79th by Diallowho was not in the match and we clearly saw the difference. Days like this happen to everyone.
Sylla (5) : still a little tender in certain areas and still subject to a few swings in concentration, he seemed overwhelmed when the waves followed one another in the axis of our 30 meters. Despite everything, the defender did not do much either and will certainly take advantage of this unfortunate experience to progress. After all, he is still only 20 years old.
Mendy (5,9) : it was day and night over the two halves for our defender and top scorer, back in the XI after his suspension. After a period of boss, he finally cracked in second and notably lost control on this overflow to the left which will bring the goal. Nothing to overwhelm him, far from it, since with a clean sheet he would certainly have been man of the match.
Fruits (5,9) : quiet strength, as we like to call it, is also partly involved in this conceded goal coming from his side. But we will rather blame the very good tactical choices of Hervé Della Maggiore and the inability of the Dijon staff to adapt to a system which countered us perfectly rather than his individual errors, very few in number again this Friday. We remember some USO offensives that the left side was able to control perfectly to allow everyone to return. It’s not always easy to have this lucidity the day after your birthday.
Married (5.9) : it is a frustrating but so essential Jordan Marié who has reintegrated this Dijon midfielder, after his injury at Nancy. We can hardly do without it and yet, in addition to a handful of relatively questionable choices, it is difficult not to think that in these situations, it is a player like Loïc Etoga who would have done good and would have allowed us to put the one who has spent his entire career with us on the left axis of the diamond. Replaced by Ben Fred in a very surprising offensive change in the 91st minute of the game. Far too late for the former AJA, who will perhaps have time to express himself in the Coupe de France soon.
Mucus (4.8) : frankly unlucky on a pair of chances in the opposing area, Zoran Moco has not yet unlocked his goal counter this season. But if you persevere, it won’t take long. For the rest, we have seen too little to guarantee him a starting place which he would like to lock for his own part, in competition with Chahid, Hamada, Souici & company
Schur (3,9) : if he was ultimately the Dijon player who had the most chances, we can’t help but think that the lack of rhythm was glaring for the one who was injured during preparation. And therefore his tenure was perhaps premature. However, we don’t forget this blocked shot which allowed us to open the score before the hour mark, with a helping hand from fate. Replaced in the 63rd by Djae who produced a small festival in the opposing penalty area, which unfortunately did not result in a second Dijon goal. If that had been the case, it would not have been undeserved for the young man whose entry was perhaps the best among all those coming off the bench.
Duville-Parsemain (3.6) : still with the ingredients that allow him to keep this starting place, Alexandre this time had all the difficulty in the world to get noticed on the pitch of the Stade de la Source. A day without happens, but the commitment is always there.
panting (3,1) : and suddenly, we understand why Red Star was able to do without his services last season and this year! Without accusing him of all Dijon’s ills, the one who scored the winning goal last week was clearly not in it today and must question himself, because it is not with this kind of performance that his place will be assured. This time, there was no stroke of genius to save his more than mediocre encounter. Replaced in the 79th by Hamadawho placed himself behind the two attackers but did not have enough balls to show himself.
@Novak
