→ Because this meeting brings back (very) good memories
Michel Platini, Youssouf Hadji and Olivier Rouyer for Chardons; Roger Milla, Yannick Cahuzac and Claude Papi for the Corsicans. Yes, these legendary names do not make us any younger, but they remind us of the great times of these two clubs. This 8e Coupe de France tour also has a particular taste for Nancy supporters. In 1970, ASNL, second in D2, had to go through the roadblocks to climb to the next level. After a victory against AC Ajaccio then a draw in Bastia, the Lorraines reached D1 for the first time in their history thanks to goals from Robert Blanc and Bernard Lech. Obviously, this duel is part of the club's golden book. Quite an old man.
→ Because it’s a duel that we won’t see again
While Bastia, demoted as a precautionary measure to National by the DNCG, is stagnating at 11e place in Ligue 2, Nancy is in great shape. The men of the immense Pablo Correa, who lives his 14e exercise on the bench of the ASNL (yes, yes), squat the chair of leader of the third level of French football. You understand, even if this is not the first time that Sporting finds itself in this situation, the chances of finding the two teams in the same championship next season are dwindling. You might as well not miss this shock on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. https://twitter.com/asnlofficiel/status/1862080537831022879. There are only a few hours left to find a solution. Everything is fine.
→ Because this time, we promise, there will be no match interruption
The LFP's decision fell on Wednesday evening: this meeting between Bastia and Nancy will be played behind closed doors. For what ? Because instead of throwing small tennis balls to show their discontent, like everyone else ultimately, the Corsicans, exasperated by the red card, although justified, from Bastiais Jocelyn Janneh, preferred to throw smoke bombs and projectiles in the direction of an assistant referee during Bastia-Lorient. These acts caused quite a mess, including an improvised conference by Willy Delajod, the referee of the match, and a match interrupted for 36 long minutes. This is not the first time that the Bastiais have exceeded the limits this season: on October 26, the Corsican derby between AC Ajaccio and SC Bastia had already stopped at the 42e minute after fights in a stand, then the storm. Nancy's idea of relocating the meeting to Furiani was really not a good idea. This time, the Armand-Cesari stadium will sound hollow, which is very sad, but at least football will finally be the center of attention.
→ To admire the works of Amine Boutrah
If there is little chance that one of the two clubs will have a magnificent run and lift their second Coupe de France, even if Correa has already won the Coupe… de la Ligue with the Chardons in 2006, this shock has at least the merit of shedding a little light on maestro Amine Boutrah. After revealing himself in Concarneau, where he had a delicious 2022-2023 exercise by being designated https://twitter.com/clappingmedia/status/1584799471145451520the Franco-Moroccan had more difficulty winning at Vitesse Arnhem (Eredivisie), despite honorable playing time (21 starts). Returning to the Isle of Beauty this summer, number 10 returns to its roots. https://twitter.com/SCBastia/status/1845797165987221532Boutrah has already planted four pawns in Ligue 2 this season. There is no doubt that this Saturday he risks tickling Yanis Kouini on numerous occasions.
Nancy-Bastia will be played… in Corsica!