Sunday December 22, 2024, it is 8:11 p.m. sharp when the Rocher bar explodes in the heart of Espaly. The magic of the Coupe de France has just happened and the Espaviots understand that they have drawn the winner of the match which will follow, between Lens and Paris Saint-Germain. Even before the result of this 32nd final, the draw had been celebrated as if the “small” FC Espaly was certain to challenge the immense club from the capital. So, certainly, the Espaviots were right. But we still had to hold our breath until the end of the penalty shootout to ensure the Parisians qualified.
As a symbol, the staff and players took off from this same bar at Le Rocher yesterday afternoon to go green in Clermont-Ferrand. Many have had to take days off, but that’s the price to pay to fully experience the match of a lifetime.
The Altiligerians could not dream of a more beautiful poster. “I want to play PSG at the Vélodrome,” President Perbet exclaimed on the evening of qualification for the 32nd finals. A dream that he got closer to, two weeks later, after the feat against Dijon. As soon as the “FC Espaly” ball was drawn after that of PSG, the leader and his club moved into another galaxy.
“I experienced the most intense two weeks of my life.”
The first major project to be carried out was that of the stadium. Ultimately, his wish could not be fully granted. “The Vélodrome was not available since OM plays there,” jokes Espaviot. But beyond the joke, playing at the Marcel-Michelin stadium is a dream. You know my character, I am as much a rugby player as a footballer. » The excitement went up a notch after Christmas, when the Espaviots saw all the places sold out in less than an hour and a half. One more incident which made it possible to measure the enthusiasm that such an event can generate, where nearly 13,000 spectators are expected.
If Christian Perbet likes to recall the Auvergne dimension of the meeting, he wanted to bring part of Espaly to the Puy-de-Dôme prefecture. Monday morning, the Viouzou cages were transported to Michelin.
“I already think that our goalkeeper (Jordan Étienne) will feel better in these goals that he knows well,” underlines the president. It’s a matter of superstition, but you have to look everywhere. For attackers too, it can be a post coming in rather than going out. »
In order to feel at home, FC Espaly has also done everything possible to bring its loyal supporters back to the Auvergne capital. Buses chartered by the Region must take off throughout the day. The first to leave are the volunteers, from 9 a.m., to set up the stadium. The football school graduates will follow suit in the afternoon. “There are 2,000 of us leaving, there will be a fantastic atmosphere,” predicts Christian Perbet. It will take us far, that’s for sure. Far enough away, I don’t know. »
In terms of logistics, everything is done to put the players in the best conditions. In recent days, they have even been able to benefit from cold baths. A necessary device since these amateurs are preparing to play a second match in four days. Last Saturday, the Rouge et Noir actually won a good draw (1-1) against Bourgoin, the second in the group. “We closed this championship bracket which was important, to open the big Coupe de France bracket,” summarizes the coach, Lionel Vaillant.
The National 3 residents put all the chances on their side before this big evening. But they know that there is only one truth, that of the field. To be up to the task, you must not be inhibited by the event, nor intimidated by your opponent.
“We want to give a good image of the club, of Haute-Loire. We will have to take advantage of it, but above all not look at Parisians as stars. We have to play to win the match. »
It’s difficult, however, among fans, not to remain admiring in front of “the ones we watch every weekend or in the middle of the week when there is the Champions League”. The European Cup, in fact, is this deadline that everyone keeps in the back of their minds in Paris. Next Wednesday, PSG will play a decisive match against Manchester City, at the Parc. But Luis Enrique assures him, his team wants to do things in order and firstly secure its place in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. “When we play PSG, there is no friendly meeting, no match to relax,” declared the Parisian coach. We are in a good period, we must keep the same mentality. »
If he is deprived of Marquinhos and Dembélé who are out, Enrique has therefore planned to field a solid starting eleven, which would shake up a good number of teams in Europe. Boys like Lucas Hernandez, Vitinha and Désiré Doué should be there this evening.
Faced with this determination displayed by the ogre of the competition, Lionel Vaillant had to rack his brains to find solutions. But there is no miracle recipe, nor anti-PSG plan to put in place. The Espaviot technician should definitely not upset his system. He will instead bet on continuity, especially since his team has been undefeated for six games, even if he collects draws in the championship.
“We are going to stick to what we know how to do, to our playing principles,” confirms the coach. Knowing all the same that, defensively, we will have to be very strong and avoid one-on-one duels because it goes very quickly. We will try to be as compact as possible to remain in surplus. »
Lionel Vaillant hopes that this clash against the best in Europe can be used for the rest of the season. “The objective is to have positive streaks against the best team in France. I want that, when we meet again on Thursday, we can say to ourselves “we still managed to do that”. »
Ultimately, there will be no real obligation to achieve results. “In the end, the players must all have done the most of what they know how to do,” implores President Perbet. Whether it leads us to one result or another is almost a detail. » This is a speech that helps relieve a little pressure, but it is certainly not a sign that FC Espaly has given up on qualification. “The chances of creating the feat are tiny, but from the moment there is a small percentage of chance of winning, we must exploit it to the maximum,” motivates Lionel Vaillant.
More than ever, now is the time to dream bigger?!
Lucas Jacquet
