Usually very measured, Thierry Laurey let go a little before the match against Quevilly: “Today, I think we have the team to play at the top of the table. I had some doubts in the first part of the season but given the progress made by some and the arrivals of the 3 recruits, we are in our place, ”said the Parisian coach.
Now on a series of 11 games without defeat, Paris FC could even become leader this weekend in the event of a victory against Quevilly trained by Fabien Mercadal (ex-coach of Paris FC between 2017 and 2018) and missteps (draw or defeat) from Toulouse to Valenciennes. But the one who went up twice to L1 with Gazélec Ajaccio (2015) then Strasbourg (2017) also knows the pitfalls of this L2 championship.
“I distrust everyone,” says Laurey. The Ligue 2 championship is very complicated, it is also its charm. In each match we know that we can be caught by the patrol… You have to be rigorous, concentrated. If you take a match lightly, you are punished. I don’t think that was the case but we have already been punished despite everything. The slightest relaxation can be fatal. We want to be as regular as possible, we have to pick up one or more points each time to move forward. I am very serious when I say that but with 44 points, we are already sure of being maintained and now we can have other ambitions. After 7th place, there starts to be a hole. But the top 7 can consider being in the lead at some point. »
“Don’t slack off and rest”
Midfielder Mahamé Siby joins his coach: “We have just met two big teams in the championship, Auxerre and Ajaccio, which we beat, but it is precisely in these moments that we must not relax and rest. We must also erase our small defensive errors to be less in danger. But with the quality of our attacking players, we know we can score at any time. On paper, we’re not the sexiest team in the league. But at the group level, we are solid. This is our strength. In difficult times, we look at the friend and he knows how to harangue us. That’s how we get our heads above water and move forward together. »
Against Quevilly, Paris FC will play the first of its three games behind closed doors. “We are going to play for our supporters, continues Siby. Behind closed doors, we have already experienced all of last season. When you’re a pro, you’re a competitor, so whether it’s in front of 45,000 people or 3, you must have the same desire normally…”
For this match, the PFC is deprived of its three right-backs: Maxime Bernauer, Samir Chergui and Thibaut Campanini. The most logical option would be the tenure of young Yoan Koré (17), unless Thierry Laurey opts for a three-man defense. Returning Thursday morning from Dakar, Moustapha Name, winner of the CAN with Senegal, will remain at rest.
Match sheet
PARIS FC – QUEVILLY RM, Saturday (7 p.m.) Charléty stadium (Paris XIII). Referee: Mr. Lepaysant.
Paris FC: Demarconnay – Koré, Kanté (cap.), Camara, Hanin – Siby, Iglésias – Guilavogui, Gueye, Gory – Boutaïb. Repl. : Filipovic, Gueho, Hadjam, Bamba, Demoncy, Lopez, Alfarela,. Entr.: Laurey.
Absent : Name (return from CAN), Mandouki, Campanini (recovery), Bernauer, Chergui, Diakité, Caddy, Diaby Fadiga (injured).