The near-perfect, the breakdown and the startle ... Fifth in Ligue 2 three points from the duo Grenoble-Troyes after their victory Tuesday against Guingamp (3-2), Paris FC experienced a first part of the season looking like mountains Russian.
Author of an ideal start (8 wins in the first 10 games), the Parisians first impressed.
Many opponents and observers already saw them in Ligue 1. The prospect of finally seeing a second Parisian club join PSG in L1, crystallized a lot of attention and expectations around Paris FC.
But internally, from President Pierre Ferracci to coach René Girard, caution remained in order.
“Paris FC is going through a kind of state of grace.
We know that he will stop one day, ”declared Pierre Ferracci after the success in Dunkirk (1-0) on November 7, which then gave his club a seven-point lead.
“After our good period, we could expect to experience more difficult times.
But me, I never got flamed.
I know football too well to know that it could turn out ”, supports René Girard.
This return to earth has arrived.
No one could have imagined that he was so brutal and in such proportions.
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What to remember from the first part of the season of Paris FC
After flying over the championship, Paris FC went on 6 games without a win, especially against the four teams that now precede them in the standings, Auxerre (0-3), Grenoble (0-0), Troyes (2-1) and Clermont (3-2).
But apart from the sinking against Auxerre which had broken their good dynamic, Cyril Mandouki's teammates flirted with the draw in Troyes and Clermont, and also wasted a lot against Rodez (1-1).
"Maybe unconsciously, we thought we had arrived"
“If we had had 2 or 3 more points, there would have been nothing to complain about and the outlook on us would be different, believes Girard.
We had a new status to assume.
Maybe it happened too soon.
Perhaps unconsciously, we also thought we had arrived.
Certain players have certainly also evolved in overdrive.
In his defense, Paris FC has counted many injured, especially in the offensive sector.
The victory, even in the snatch against Guingamp, stopped the downward spiral and totally revived it.
"Going on vacation and especially on a victory, it will do good to the heads", recognizes Girard, who did not hesitate to launch several young people during this first part of the championship like Jaouen Hadjam, Ousmane Camara (17 years old) and Check Omar Diakité (18 years old).
Holder in the last two games, the midfielder, who arrived from Montrouge in 2019, has just signed a first 3-year pro contract.
In addition to the affirmation of some who have passed a real milestone such as Axel Bamba, Ali Abdi or Julien Lopez, the revelations of recruits from National like Gaëtan Laura or Mustapha Name and the breakthrough of young people are one very positive aspects of this first part of the season.
"It is the vocation of the club to launch young people, we know that we can count on them, they show a lot of desire and quality," said Girard.
"We would have signed with both hands to have a capital of 31 points"
Even if Lamine Diaby Fadiga, operated on hamstring ischios, should normally resume with his teammates on December 29 as well as Lalaina Nomenjanahary (injured knee in the selection of Madagascar), Paris FC will certainly expand its workforce during the January transfer window.
Because even if it is no longer in the lead as in September and October, it is still in the race and in the match for the rise in Ligue 1. We will always have to reckon with this team, especially when it has recovered a full workforce.
And behind the scenes, in a context where French football is worried, the PFC, which can rely on a strong partner with Bahrain and sound management, continues to move forward and grow.
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“Of course we can regret having had a 7 point lead and lost them, recognizes René Girard.
But we had started on such high bases that we would have broken all the points records and we must remain realistic ... Objectively when we resumed, we would have signed with both hands to have a capital of 31 points while there is still two first leg matches (Toulouse, AC Ajaccio).
Fifth, it's still good.
It'll take some of the pressure off us and it's not bad.
The most important thing is that we stay in ambush.
"