Pau FC has now been chasing a victory in Ligue 2 for five days. With only two small points collected over this period, the Palois have seen the credit acquired after a good start to the season crumble considerably. So much so that the promoted Red Star, which goes to Nouste Camp this evening with the sign of 17th and penultimate in the championship, is only two small units behind Nicolas Usaï's men.
A series to start
Even if it is still early in the season, this meeting is therefore important for both clubs. Not to mention that they are not the only ones in this area since a whopping nine clubs are located in just two points. “Running the clock against an opponent who has the same objective as us” is therefore the challenge posed by coach Palois at the dawn of this 14th day. But, for once, Nicolas Usaï admitted to having also projected himself somewhat on the upcoming deadlines in Ligue 2 before the end of the calendar year 2024, facing two other members of this strong peloton: Rodez and Ajaccio. “I mentioned the period we are entering on the morning of the Coupe de France in Bayonne, saying that this match would allow us, with qualification, to enter this important series in the best possible condition. Of course, we are focused on our opponent this weekend but we know that what is coming is an important period which will almost take us to the end of the first legs. »
There is a rule that players know, it is the rule of the three Cs: brain, heart and the third I am not going to say so as not to be vulgar.
Indeed, it may be that at the end of the three days leading up to the confectioners' break, some teams will have managed to stay in the right car, others not. Pau FC obviously hopes to be in the first category and it is in this sense that this Friday's meeting at Nouste Camp is crucial. It is also a confirmation that is expected from Pau FC since, after losing three consecutive times, they recovered well against the leader of Ligue 2, Paris FC, obtaining a good 0-0 . The Yellow and Blue had notably managed to be solid defensively against the Parisian offensive armada.
It is this face that the rearguard of Pau FC will have to show against the other Ile-de-France club if it wants to fill up. Not necessarily that of last week, in the Coupe de France, when he was sometimes jostled by an Aviron Bayonnais who only plays in Nationale 3: “That alerted me” admits Nicolas Usaï without detour, “We actually gave this Bayonne team too much freedom. There are areas for improvement in individual and collective behavior on the defensive level. We are aware of the generosity we were able to leave last week and we will have to make sure not to leave them this Friday. »
Coach Palois expects his players to do everything possible to move forward, especially in the face of a direct competitor: “There is one rule that the players know, it’s the rule of the three Cs : brain, heart and the third I'm not going to say so as not to be vulgar. These are ingredients that are crucial in such important matches. »
First steps on the hybrid training ground
Forced to train on an adjoining field since the resumption last July, the Pau FC professional group was able, this Thursday afternoon, to set foot for the first time on its refurbished training ground and switched to hybrid . Before the session, Nicolas Usaï had already been enthusiastic: “This is not something that should be minimized. We must be very happy to see the club moving forward. Having a quality training ground is important at this level, and the managers, with the representatives of the town hall, have done everything to ensure that we have a very good ground available. »
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