Face at Les Herbiers, residents like them of National 2, the Girondins are preparing this Sunday to play their fifth Coupe de France match of the season. During the previous four, their supporters had not been allowed to travel, the opposing clubs and local prefectures refusing to assume security linked to the antagonism between Ultramarines and North Gate. This time, it will be at home, but at the Sainte-Germaine du Bouscat stadium, behind closed doors.
The FCGB could have hosted at Matmut Atlantique, its usual stadium, but had anticipated a low attendance. The poster is nothing to dream of, and the first rounds of the Cup traditionally generate less interest than the championship. With organizational costs still high (40,000 euros minimum). He would have been left with a loss of around 30,000 euros. Impossible to assume for a club in receivership, where every euro counts.
25,000 euros for qualification
Given Bordeaux's finances, a good run in the Coupe de France would be welcome. By having reached the eighth round, the Girondins are already guaranteed to receive 12,000 euros. This will increase to 25,000 in the event of qualification for the 32nd finals on Sunday. But we have to wait until the quarter-finals (85,000) or even the semi-finals (170,000) for this to become significant in a budget of 7 to 8 million euros. For a N2 club, reaching the last four would be quite an achievement.
On the sporting side, precisely, the Cup has so far allowed coach Bruno Irles to “manage workloads” within his squad. As much to allow some to breathe between two championship “blocks” (Carroll, Yambéré) as to integrate players lacking automatisms (Diallo, Mutyaba, Karim) or rhythm after several months without playing (Merdji, Diaw Sunday) . Elements initially recruited for the reserves, like Bahassa or Ranem, took the opportunity to stand out.
“We plan to make changes at half-time regardless of the score,” continues the technician. This Coupe de France is very useful. Without it, you can go two weeks without playing. Starting this weekend, we are preparing for our championship match against Saint-Brieuc. We also want to send a message because Les Herbiers is a big part of our championship group (5th, one place behind Bordeaux, Editor's note). » Striker Andy Carroll, exempted during the previous rounds, should thus start.
“Don’t get scattered”
However, the competition remains a secondary quest. “We start all matches to win them,” warns sports director John Williams. But we must not be mistaken in the fight: what will save the club is the return to the championship. » Bruno Irles confirms: “We must not spread ourselves too thin. I know where to go. » It's difficult to think, for example, that the suspensions of three players (Grillot, Trichard and Diaby) for accumulation of yellow cards before this match are the result of chance…
The cursor is sometimes difficult to place, between the dynamic and confidence generated by qualifications on one side, and the risk of injury or accumulated fatigue on the other. “I am objective enough to know that we are not going to win this cup. But we would like to be able to offer at least one match to our supporters,” smiles Bruno Irles. If they pass the obstacle on Sunday, the Girondins will only have to scrutinize the draw. And cross your fingers to play in Ligue 1.
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