Within two minutes, those which saw Lucerne pass Winterthur with forceps (3-4) early Saturday evening, the Valaisans would have spent the holidays in the top 6 of the Super League. A ranking which, in 15 days, will ensure their maintenance. Staying in the elite is the official objective of Christian Constantin’s club, newly promoted this season. But as the appetite comes with eating, obviously, his team is not going to deprive itself of a title shot if it were to smile.
“I’m happy,” said the coach. Because today we have 26 points. We have taken an important step in relation to the club’s objective of remaining in the elite. We have put quite a margin on the pursuers and we will have to add more. The important thing for us at this time of the season is that there is more of a gap with the bottom of the rankings than with the top of the hierarchy. It does, in fact, open up the field of possibilities.
At the Municipal Stadium, Didier Tholot fielded ten players who participated in the promotion last spring. A satisfaction for a coach, obviously, who has been able to support a young group and whose limits we have not yet identified. Not everything was perfect at Yverdon this Saturday and Sion always has a slight tendency to fall back once the hard part, taking the advantage, is done. “We put our values there. Those of courage and self-sacrifice,” said the 60-year-old Forézien.
There is therefore an interesting margin for progress this winter. Moreover, when he talks about a possible move through the transfer window this winter, the coach gives three names and that’s it: those currently squatting in his infirmary. “Tonight, I’m quite happy to be at the head of this team,” explained Tholot. Just in relation to his mentality and the efforts that this group makes.
By winning at Yverdon, thus finishing with a three out of three after its successes in Winterthur and against YB, the Sédunois offered themselves a little holiday discount (January 2 rather than December 30). That was the deal with coach Didier Tholot. And it will also allow Numa Lavanchy to breathe a little. The defender is, in fact, the only elite outfield player to have played every possible minute since the resumption in July. Only goalkeepers have done so well.
“Okay, now it’s over. I took my 4th warning today and the series will stop for a suspension, he explained in the bowels of the Yverdon stadiums on Saturday evening. For a defender, if you don’t take a lot of yellows, it’s because you’re pretty well established and comfortable in your interventions. I was happy to be able to play so much, especially after my twisted ankle in the Cup in Basel…”
“After this match at St-Jacques, I didn’t think I could continue. But it held, said the adopted Valaisan. There, I will try to recover well and I will be available to the coach from the 2nd match after the restart, so. In 2025, FC Sion will start with the reception of GC, before meeting FC Basel on the road. A sequence which will be worth dearly, once again, in the race for the top 6.
