Coupe de France (8th round). Le Mans (N) – Locminé (N2), Saturday (6 p.m.)
“The Coupe de France always brings emotions. And I discover new ones among amateurs.” Former professional player from Brest (2016-22) and Concarneau (2023-24) Julien Faussurier (37 years old) finds in Locminé (N2), where he signed this summer, the thrills of this competition dear to his heart. He has already experienced two semi-finals there, with Troyes (against Bordeaux in 2013) then Sochaux (against Marseille in 2016). His experience will be valuable this weekend, as the road rises for “Saint-Co”, which travels to Le Mans, the current 13th in National. “I played them a few times in the league. I know President Thierry Gomez well, who held the same position in Troyes when I was there. It’s a beautiful club, with a history and a beautiful stadium (Marie-Marvingt, formerly MMArena, 25,000 seats). But there will be a match, because it’s the Cup.”
And because the Sarthois, who remain on two defeats in the championship and had difficulty overcoming Vannes (N3) in the previous round (1-2), are still struggling to return to the professional world. A world that Julien Faussurier decided to leave this summer, after more than 500 matches in 17 seasons and one last freelance stint in Concarneau, despite opportunities in Ligue 2. “There is a time for everything. It’s a family choice to stay in Brittany.” A region that this Lyonnais trained at OL definitively adopted after his time in Finistère. “It’s great to see Stade Brestois in the Champions League. I am still in contact with my friend Brendan Chardonnet.” The newly retired man settled last February in Grand-Champ, north of Vannes, where his wife is from and where he is building a house to accommodate their third daughter. He is enjoying his new life, “with a lesser training load”, even if the right piston did not come to sweeten the strawberries at Locminé, where his qualities of anticipation and crosses work wonders in National 2 ( a goal and an assist in ten matches). “When I embark on a new project, it’s always full blast! »
Senegal
