Six Ile-de-France clubs, including five from Seine-Saint-Denis, are on deck from this Saturday to win their ticket for the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, synonymous with the entry into the running of Ligue 1 clubs.
The poster will pit FC 93 Bobigny (N2) against Red Star (L2) for a tempting 9-3 derby. Second in their group, the Balbyniens want to create the feat against the Audoniens, relegated (17th and penultimate) in Ligue 2, in order to equal their record in the competition with a 32nd final in 2015 against Evian TG.
Four players from Bobigny – Reda Kaddouri, Evens Seridor, Farid Beziouen and Mohamed Ben Allel – have played with the Green and White jersey in the past. “It’s a great celebration for our supporters, a great showcase. We need to gauge ourselves against our level, declares Siné Danioko, the sports director of Bobigny. There is a stake on and off the field. Receiving Ultras from Red Star in Bobigny is a first. We want to demonstrate to the public authorities and the Federation that we are capable of hosting this type of event. It’s very important, even more so than the progress of the match. »
On the Red Star side, a new goalkeeper arrived this Friday, international hopeful Romain Risser, on loan from Strasbourg (L1). He compensates for the unavailability of Quentin Beunardeau, injured in Pau (4-1 defeat), who suffers from a partial rupture of a cruciate ligament and who will be absent for at least 3 months.
Last in National 2 without any victory under its belt (four draws and seven defeats), FCM Aubervilliers welcome Dunkerque, current co-leader of L2 along with Paris FC. The challenge is immense. “Dunkirk is for me the best team in L 2. They have a very good team and play with their eyes closed,” said coach Rachid Youcef. Two years ago, Auber had already eliminated an L2 team, Quevilly-Rouen, in the 7th round following the penalty shootout.
“We were leaders of N3 and we were playing against a team from the softer side, more athletic, against which we could compete,” says the technician. Today, the context is completely different. We are a very sick team which has not yet won in the league. We are in a total deficit of confidence but my group is not giving up. The Coupe de France allows us to build up a little confidence even if we had a favorable run. »
Neuilly-sur-Marne forced to move
Three years after their formidable run in the Coupe de France where they reached the semi-finals (beaten 0-2 in Nice), the Versaillais (N1), now under the leadership of Jordan Gonzalez (their fifth coach in two years), will leave favorites in Occitanie where they will face Union Saint-Jean, a regional level club. Not authorized to play in its stadium by the FFF, SFC Neuilly-sur-Marne (N3) will have to achieve a huge feat in Valenciennes (N1).
On Sunday, JA Drancy (N3) will have a good card to play by going to Noyelles-sous-Lens (R2 Hauts-de-France). In 2011 and 2012, JAD reached the round of 16 of the event. “Once you reach a certain level, divisions no longer mean much,” says Drance captain Abde Sanogo. We want to pass this round. We are aware that there is a place to be taken. We want to put all the chances on our side and give our all against this team. »
THE PROGRAM OF FRANCILIANS CLUBS
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.: FC 93 BOBIGNY (N 2) – RED STAR (L 2) (stade Auguste-Delaune), AUBERVILLIERS (N 2) – Dunkirk (L 2) (stade André-Karman) ; 4 p.m.: Valenciennes (N 1) – NEUILLY-SUR-MARNE (N 3); 6 p.m.: Union Saint-Jean (R1 Occitanie) – VERSAILLES (N 1). Sunday, 2 p.m.: Noyelles-sous-Lens (R 2 Hauts-de-France) – JA DRANCY (N 3).
