While the current format of the Coupe de France could be reformed by the FFF, football specialists are wondering. Former ASSE goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo spoke on the subject on the L'Équipe channel.
“Mr Diallo, you must not touch it”
Jérôme Alonzo (former ASSE goalkeeper): “My first emotions as a kid, when I went to see my FC Antibes team play against Fréjus, Toulon, we went by bus to see and then on TV. (…) I assure you that I could talk about it for hours, because I have a lot more emotions in the cup than in the championship. It's an exceptional human adventure. I had the chance to play in clubs where there was a real Coupe de France culture. OM, Saint-Étienne or Paris.
These are things that are fantastic. You must not touch it, Mr. Diallo. You must not touch it. We lack culture in French football, even in French sport. And the Coupe de France is a culture. It must be preserved, cherished, surely improved, but its very essence must not be touched. (…) All the football players who had the chance to play it and win it, or not. It is an exceptional human adventure. It’s one of my greatest emotions as a player.”
His fondest memory with ASSE
Jérôme Alonzo (former ASSE goalkeeper):“One of my greatest memories with Saint-Étienne? We had an incredible season with Saint-Etienne in Ligue 2, we were defeated in all the matches we played in 1998-1999. Then, we fell against Jura Sud Foot, a 15 December. The pitch, a parking lot. The supporters, behind my goals, were close to merguez, with a temperature of -2 or -3. 1-0 defeat when we were undefeated in Ligue 2. It's an exceptional memory (…) However, the big team was lined up.
Today, we force them to play in the biggest stadiums! Whereas before, there were really real confrontations. That's what we want. Parking lots, merguez.”
Soccer
France
