Karim Mokeddem wants to “release frustration” in Aubagne, after the defeat against Nancy

Only 11th in the championship after five days, FC Sochaux-Montbéliard will not have the right to make a mistake, Friday September 20, on the pitch of Aubagne (6th). Beaten twice at Bonal since the start of the season, Karim Mokeddem’s men absolutely must make people forget their last performances. Victory is imperative.

Forget the disillusionment, the scenario. Move forward. A week after its improbable defeat (2-3) against Nancy at the Bonal stadium, FC Sochaux-Montbéliard must react quickly, imperatively bounce back this Friday, September 20 on the pitch of Aubagne (6th).

“We want to get back on the field very quickly to get rid of the frustration of this defeat.” “Sochaux coach Karim Mokeddem initially reacted on Thursday, September 19, at a press conference.Our team is better than that. We all know that. We are worth much more than what we showed in the last twenty minutes of this match against Nancy.”

It must be said that by conceding three goals in quick succession after leading 2-0, the Yellow and Blue could hardly have suffered a worse fall at home last Friday. Pointed out for his management, criticized by some supporters since the beginning of the season, the new Sochaux coach therefore wanted to explain himself.

“It was necessary to analyze, to understand this end of the match (…) I had to take off 4 players almost at the same time after the 70th^e minute of play” he said. “It wasn’t planned. Hoggas, Fatar who were returning to the group, and Boris Moltenis, affected in the hamstring. We hadn’t anticipated it” acknowledged the Sochaux coach, whose team has not won since August 16 (2-0 victory against Quevilly).

Several factors can partly explain this poor start to the season. Firstly, the management of the squad, because since his arrival, the former coach of US Orléans has never been able to count on his entire squad. Before facing Paris 13 Atlético two weeks ago, nine players from the first team were absent, injured or suspended.

Some returned for the reception of Nancy (Hoggas, Fatar, Silva, Liénard, Peybernes) but others will probably not return right away (Daho, Koffi for example). Players who are also struggling to find automatisms in a new game plan with three defenders that does not convince everyone, far from it. So far, Karim Mokeddem persists. It remains to be seen whether the next matches will prove him right with this system.

“When we analyse our matches, we know that we can obviously do better” admitted the Yellow and Blue coach again this Thursday.We made three or four mistakes in a row against Nancy. I was angry because this match had meaning for the supporters, for the whole region. It wasn’t just any match, it was a derby. You can’t just brush that aside when you’re competitors.” he continued.

The answer is expected on Friday, September 20, on the lawn of the surprising National 2 promoted team, Aubagne. Sixth in the championship after five days, the men of former Sochaux player Maxence Flachez have surprised, by already winning two matches in Villefranche and against Rouen at home: “It is not an anomaly that they are there, at this level” Karim Mokeddem also acknowledged when discussing the qualities of the future opponent.At the start of the season, this team is showing great things. They know how to come back when they are behind. They will want to win, but we also want to win.”

Winning, Sochaux has only done it once since the start of the season. Never away. The yellow and blue have only played one match outside Bonal and had not managed to win on the pitch of Paris 13 Atlético.

The opportunity presents itself again on September 20, with new intentions, promises Karim Mokeddem, who concluded his press conference with a maxim that we cannot contradict: “Saying makes you laugh. Doing makes you silent.”