TFC-Laval: Denis Genreau’s big match, Cresswell’s headers… Without forcing too much, Toulouse dominated Tango lacking ideas

The adventure continues. In a match that could have been described as a trap, the Violets easily defeated Laval, but still scared themselves in the final minutes. The fault was a goal conceded too easily at the end of the match (85th) while the purple defense had never been put in danger.

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Guillaume Restes could also have caught a cold (0° on the thermometer last night), as the goalkeeper was not called upon. But apart from this little bit of stress in the money time, the main thing is assured for the Violets with this qualification for the round of 16. This is all the more delicious because several big players fell (Monaco, Marseille, Lyon, Rennes) during this round.

A “useful” match

Beyond the result which should have been much heavier (2-1), we could describe this match as “useful” on several points which should be good for the morale of some. Genreau finally paid off for all the efforts made over several months, Cresswell finally scored from a corner, Akdag showed that he was capable of not being caught short, Zajc showed his metronome qualities in the middle and the Violets converted a set piece into a goal, a first this season.

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Performances that must still be tempered as TFC’s opponent has struggled to exist.
From the first minutes, the Toulouse team stormed the Mayen area. The instructions seemed clear: suffocate the Tangos until they wear out. And the 11,000 brave people who braved the cold to attend the match were able to warm up a little before the 20th, thanks to a goal from Denis Genreau. The needy TFC who has been chasing since 2022 (L2 title goal against Nîmes) came to conclude thanks to an unstoppable helmet hit, an offering from Cresswell on a good service from Zajc. Five minutes later, we found the Englishman for the break goal. Gaby Suazo is in charge from a corner and finds Cresswell perfectly. The defender uncrosses his head and the Violets already saw themselves qualified (24th).

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But in this type of meeting it is better to kill the match when you have the opportunity. And that’s what the Violets failed to do despite a myriad of situations. Particularly at the start of the second thanks to an untenable Rafik Messali who continued to create danger on the right side. But neither Babicka (69), nor Donnum (78), to name but a few, managed to deceive the Laval goalkeeper for the third time. Clumsy, the Garonnais could have paid for it but Guillaume Restes was vigilant to make his only save of the match, on the final strike from Sam Sanna (90 + 2). We will know Toulouse’s next opponent this Thursday, January 16 (8 p.m.).