A draw by geographical area with four teams, matches between Ligue 2 before returning to Ligue 1 * ... Stuck during the week, between two days of the championship, this 8th round of the 2021 French Cup, pandemic version, looks like a preliminary round of the late Coupe de la Ligue.
He did not unleash overwhelming enthusiasm on the side of Chambly and Paris FC, who remained at forced rest this weekend.
In Chambly, which moves to Valenciennes, recent history has been marked by several courses and exploits in the Coupe de France while the club was still an amateur: round of 16 in 2016 (elimination of Reims 4-1) in 2017, semi -final in 2018 (including the elimination of Strasbourg).
“It's a special season, we have to adapt but I don't like this format, regrets coach Bruno Luzi.
This is not the real Coupe de France, the one we knew and with which we had a great story.
The charm of this competition is to meet teams that we are not used to playing, even if sometimes it is on complicated grounds.
But us, we were in the position of the little one and there we will not find this atmosphere.
"
Girard: "It's the Coupe de France de la Ligue"
The prospect of seeing amateur clubs entering the competition is indeed receding day after day.
"Castex has said that the opening of restaurants and a resumption of amateur football, it was soon, ironically Bruno Luzi.
We are not six week old rabbits… We quickly understood that it was a disguised League Cup.
But they decide and we do it.
I am aware of the financial and sponsorship issues for the Federation, but they could have done things a little better.
There, there is no full draw, and we will first of all skim the L2 because it should especially not that the clubs of L1 are eliminated too early ... "
On the side of Paris FC, which goes to Le Havre, an opponent that he will find on February 6 in L2, René Girard is also dubious.
“It's the Coupe de France de la Ligue (sic), smiles the PFC coach.
We can interpret it as we want but it's original, we had never known that before.
The charm of Dame Coupe is the surprise, the draw, knowing who was going where and how… There, that changes the game.
But the Cup is still a challenge that always pleases.
“Despite their doubts about the formula, the two L2 clubs do not want to spoil this competition at a discount.
“We don't have enough room at the moment to take this kind of game over the leg.
With the postponement of the match in Valenciennes, we will run a little less than expected, ”explains Girard who is still deprived of many players (Nomenjanahary, Belaud, Caddy, Lopez, Guilavogui, Ndiaye ..) and integrates the young Camara, Pembele and Thomas Nemouthé.
Arrived from Lens last Monday, goalkeeper Didier Desprez will start.
“We are competitors so once on the pitch, we're there to win.
It will allow us to prepare Grenoble and those who play a little less to show themselves, ”supports Chambly coach Bruno Luzi who will notably leave Pinoteau, Guezoui and Correa to rest.
* In case of qualification, Paris FC will travel to Lorient and Chambly in Reims for the 32nd final on February 9, 10 or 11.
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THE INDEX CARDS
LE HAVRE - PARIS FC, Tuesday (4 p.m.), Océane stadium.
Paris FC: Desprez, Demarconnay - Abdi, Chergui, Kante, Bamba, Nemouthe, Hanin - Camara, Mandouki, Name, Camara, Martin, Arab, Diakité - Laura, Pembelé, Boli.
Entr.
: Girard.
VALENCIENNES - CHAMBLY, Tuesday (6 p.m.), Hainaut stadium.
Chambly: Pontdemé, Le Roy - Soubervie, Jaques, Derrien - Camelo, El Hriti, Delos - Callegari, Popelard, Beaulieu, Flochon, Danger - Doucoure, Zabou, Badu, Stojanovski - Susnjara.
Entr.
: Luzi.
