one point that's not all

I don't think anyone believed we were going to come here and take a point. Cris did not speak at the end of the good draw achieved by his team on the lawn of the Bonal stadium (2-2).

The Brazilian coach still enjoyed his team's performance: “I am proud of my players for everything they gave, everything they presented. » He returned to his pre-match statements which could have been taken as excessive optimism. “There were 13,000 people at the stadium and my players were not afraid. However, they faced a great team opposite, a team built to rise. »

There was even a hint of regret in the Brazilian's mouth, as his team found a way to lead twice and arguably had their best match since the start of this championship: “Unfortunately, on small details, set pieces, we conceded two goals. »

With a little more experience (21.5 years average age if we exclude the defenders), the Berrichonne could even have retained this advantage so dearly acquired. But the Castelroussine youth showed so many qualities and combativeness that we cannot blame them for much. The coach particularly appreciated that his team did not disunite in the face of adverse events: “We took the first goal at the start of the second half, but we didn't panic, we stayed present. We didn't give up, the block remained compact. » And managed to do what we thought impossible: regain the lead by converting a well-executed counterattack.

New charge against arbitration

This is where the match changed following a penalty which prompted Cris to lodge a small charge against the refereeing: “I didn't see clearly, I was far away… But what's incredible is as soon as we make a mistake, we take a yellow card every time while our opponents are not sanctioned until the 75th^e minute. At some point it's harsh, but it's the referees who have the power to make the difference. »

Without calling out blatant injustice, Cris concluded this rant with a touch of irony: “The positive point is that today, we didn't get a red card… In the next match, I'll have Pirès and Agounon back. The group is starting to take shape. » The other, even more positive point is that the Berri did not break down in the last quarter of an hour as has happened so often.

A group is emerging

This emerging group is undoubtedly what should be supported: “We are in the process of finding the right system”believes Cris who had installed a rather convincing 4-4-2, even if Diallo had to leave his partners prematurely and on a stretcher (1). Competition is increasing in defense where the performances are more convincing, the Pierre-Kassimoko pairing has a bright future ahead of it, Tormin is gaining momentum on the wing, which multiplies the solutions with Versini (less in sight on Friday) of the On the other hand, the entries of Samaké and Michel proved attractive… In short, there are many positive lessons to be learned from this meeting.

Always a red lantern

And then, there is also the reality of the figures. If this draw extends Berri's improbable invincibility ahead of Sochaux for nine years (4 wins, 6 draws), the point taken at Bonal does not change much in the standings. Châteauroux is still the red lantern (17^e9 points), four units from the first non-relegation (Paris 13, 15^e13 points). Demoted as a precautionary measure by the DNCG, Berri is also sportingly guaranteed to end the year 2024 in a relegated position since there is only one match left against Aubagne on Friday.

The point taken at Sochaux simply constitutes a small clearing: ” NOW, warns Crisit is necessary to confirm at home against Aubagne (7^e18 points)  »who has just passed four goals to leader Nancy… “It’s going to be difficult until the end”recalls Cris. But to really bring some comfort before the break, only a victory against Aubagne would validate this good point taken on Friday.

(1) Victim of head trauma, the Franco-Mauritanian was able to leave the hospital and return to Châteauroux with his teammates.

Half time : 0-1.
Arbitrator : M. Souifi.
Spectators : 13.037.
Buts : for Sochaux, Gnanduillet (51^e), Moltenis (73^e sp); for Berri, Tormin (25^e), Michel (65^e).
Warnings : for Sochaux, Fatar (75^e), Drameh (89^e) ; for the Berri, Missouri (45).^e + 5), Pierre (73^e), Colella (90^e + 2), Cris (90^e + 3).

Sochaux : Patouillet – Mendes, Vitelli (cap), Moltenis, Ouammou – Benchamma (Drameh, 83^e), Liénard – Macalou (Hoggas, 69^e), Jean, Fatar – Gnanduillet. Coach: Mokeddem.

Berrichonne : Conate – Collela, Wandji, Mbengue, Duterte – Versini (Michel,^e), Pierre, Kamissoko, Tormin (Mendy, 69^e) – Diallo (Samaké, 19^e), Clairicia. Coach: Cris.