A big cold snap.
While they were undefeated in 7 matches in all competitions, the Parisians got their feet wet this Saturday in Valenciennes during the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.
Beaten 2-1, the PFC missed a great opportunity to reach a second round of 16 in a year (eliminated on penalties by Annecy last year).
Even if the Northerners also play in L2, this setback can be considered as a poor performance for the capital club.
The Valenciennois occupy, in fact, the place of red lantern with 11 lengths behind the first non-relegation (Concarneau).
Worse, they had not won... any match in their lair at the Hainaut stadium since the start of the season (4 draws and 6 defeats) before this round of 16.
Coach Stéphane Gilli had decided to change 5 starters from the last match the previous Saturday against Annecy (2-1).
Rémy Riou, who arrived from Olympique Lyonnais during the winter transfer window, made his debut in goal.
Injured since the beginning of October, the former winner of the Europa League with Sevilla FC, Timothée Kolodziejczak, made his comeback to the group.
Next match in Laval
Building on a success at the Hainaut stadium (0-1) on December 16 in the championship, the Parisians started the meeting with their feet on the floor.
On a good cross from Yves Dabila, a header from Josias Lukembila hits the crossbar (5th) then PFC playmaker Ilan Kebbal logically opens the score (0-1, 10th).
A short-lived advance.
On their first foray into the PFC area, the Valenciennes equalized with a great collective action concluded by Foe Ondoa (1-1, 15th).
Paris FC controls the match but fails to appear dangerous.
Unlike his opponent who stings a second time after returning from the locker room following a blocked strike from Julien Masson which lobbed Rémy Riou (2-1, 48th).
Valenciennes even misses the break point but Rémy Riou intervenes on a shot from Ilyes Hamache (70th).
The PFC pushes at the end of the match.
In vain.
Stéphane Gilli's men will not have time to ruminate on this setback for too long.
The L2 championship resumes quickly with a trip this Tuesday to Laval (4th) then the reception this Saturday of Dunkirk (19th) at the Charléty stadium.
Eighth in the standings, Paris FC hopes to enter the top 5 (synonymous with the jump-off), only one length away.
VALENCIENNES (L2) - PARIS FC (L2): 2-1 (1-1)
Spectators: 3000. Referee: M. Bastien.
Goals.
Valenciennes: Ondoa (15th), Masson (48th);
Paris FC: Kebbal (10th).
Warning.
Paris FC: Lukembila (73rd).
Paris FC:
Riou - Dabila, Kolodziejczak, Mbow (cap.), Gaudin - Kebbal, Demoncy (Doucet, 71st), Camara, Lukembila - Diaby Fadiga (Gory, 64th), Jabbari.
Enter.
:
Gilli.