This will not be the most publicized meeting of the round of 16. But it's a good opportunity for both clubs to continue the adventure and to start dreaming again, Thursday evening, when the draw for the round of 16 takes place.
It is rather rare for a National 2 club to find itself in the shoes of the favorite at this stage of the competition, but this is the surprise reserved by the draw. Two years ago, Le Puy Foot played in the National and it did not honor its favorite status, against a Vierzon team struggling in N2.
A few weeks after creating a sensation against Nice, Roland Vieira's team fell on penalties against an inferior team. There are no more players left who experienced this mishap, so this bad memory should not haunt people's minds. But this example must be used to avoid disappointment after the feat (4-0) achieved against Montpellier. “It's not specific to the Puy club, it's the story of the Coupe de France, making exploits and being picked off,” comments Stéphane Dief. The watchword is to be alert, we always fear a small one more than a big one. »
“It would be an achievement to qualify for Dives”
Since his arrival last season, the technician has always seen his team perform well against lower teams. This season again, the Ponots did the job. Moreover, during their first trip to a National 3 team, in Agde, the Vellaves were able to win by a large margin (1-5). “It would be an achievement to qualify at Dives. Not for this match, but for the accumulation of all matches since the start of the adventure. We can clearly see that at each turn there are multiple surprises and for the moment we are escaping them, so the feat will be to escape them once again,” underlines Stéphane Dief.
On paper, this Tuesday evening's performance probably did not please either team. “They, like us, may be disappointed with this draw,” confirms the Puy Foot coach. Them, because I think they would have liked to come across a professional club, a more high-sounding name. And us, for the simple reason that we are traveling to the other end of France and that requires unusual and important logistics for the club. »
26,000 euros spent to take the plane
This long trip and the midweek schedule actually complicate the task of the Ponots. Christophe Gauthier's club also had to pay 26,000 euros to make the round trip by plane and put themselves in good conditions. With a trip to Istres last Friday, then the reception in Toulon on Saturday, it was the only possible alternative. “We have no choice, otherwise we spend our lives on the road,” explains the general manager, Olivier Miannay. We don't neglect anything at all, whether it's the Coupe de France or the championship. »
The players, staff and managers hammer it home: no priorities have been established between the different competitions. And this, despite the experience of last season, where the epic up until Geoffroy-Guichard had cost, especially mentally. “I think we could perhaps have managed all of this a little better, but we will not make the same mistakes,” reassures Olivier Miannay.
For the captain, Renald the middle. “It’s always good for the club’s image,” adds the general manager, Olivier Miannay. The latter knows what he is talking about since he will experience his fourth round of 16 in the space of five years, despite the upheavals that his squad encounters each year. A record that would make some professional clubs blush.
“There will be people behind the handrail, we know that there will be 1,900 supporters there, that fills the gap and we have prepared for that”
And if Le Puy Foot is determined to continue the adventure, it is because it could also boast of being the only amateur club to qualify for the third time in the round of 16, since 2021. This experience must serve when playing cleaver matches. “Every year, we accumulate experience and that helps us,” recognizes Olivier Miannay. “The more we advance in the competition, the more tension there is and the event becomes important,” adds Stéphane Dief.
The coach refers in particular to the context, since the Dives-sur-Mer stadium will be full for the occasion. “There will be people behind the handrail, we know that there will be 1,900 supporters there, that fills the gap and we have prepared for that,” confides the coach. The twelfth man will play in favor of the locals and Le Puy Foot has detected other assets in this little thumb. “It’s a team with size, it is well organized and plans to recover well,” explains Stéphane Dief. They have players capable of finishing actions well. When we look closely, we can also say that they are quite experienced, many of their players have the DNA of the club since they have been playing there for a long time. »
Le Puy has assets to showcase
Despite all these praises, Le Puy Foot cannot break away from its favorite image. Dives-Cabourg is a club which is fighting to remain in N3 and which has never faced a higher level team this season in the Coupe de France.
The Vellaves have a more flattering record. Beyond the elimination of Montpellier in the round of 32, they shine in the championship. Christophe Gauthier's protégés have only suffered one defeat in twenty matches, in all competitions.
While their opponent lost (0-3) this weekend, the Ponots started 2025 in the best possible way. Friday evening, they brought back a convincing success (1-4) from Istres. Which allows them to stay in touch, on the podium. “We played a serious match against a team who, at the start of the match, were waiting for us,” analyzes Stéphane Dief. But we managed to break the deadlock. This is a good signal sent to teams who would consider waiting for us low on the pitch. We are capable of scoring, not every match will be like Angoulême with a goalkeeper who performs miracles and clumsiness on our side. »
Mindset is “essential”
The Ciel et Blanc hope to count on the same efficiency as in Istres, this Tuesday evening in Normandy. They know the recipe for a good Cup match. Often, in their career, Stéphane Dief's players have reproduced winning patterns. Many of their goals came as a result of set pieces. Also, they often scored quite early in matches. This makes it possible to extinguish the desires of opponents, on the field, as well as in the stands.
But the staff mainly intends to emphasize the state of mind to avoid unpleasant surprises. “It is essential in this competition, whether we are in the role of the small or the big, it is even decisive,” underlines coach Ponot. Then there is the quality of what we are able to offer. We are a team recognized for that and for our energy in the game so we will still have to find these ingredients. »
Puy Foot must therefore go through the Normandy box to hope to continue the adventure. He knows what remains to be done to dream of hosting a new gala match in Massot.
Lucas Jacquet
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