Returning to three points behind the leader Toulouse, Paris FC is preparing to experience a fairly intense end of the year 2021. If the 32nd final of the Coupe de France against Lyon, which should fill Charléty Friday, December 17 (9 p.m.), monopolizes the spirits, Thierry Laurey focuses, him, only on the trip to Valenciennes. This Thursday, at a press conference, the coach of Paris FC tried several times to refocus the subject on this match he says "fear a lot". Since the arrival of Christophe Delmotte on the bench, Valenciennes has not lost: two 0-0 draws from leading teams, Le Havre and Ajaccio and a 1-0 victory against Grenoble. “They found the momentum, the team immediately adhered to its principles and they do not take a goal, underlines Laurey. When I prepare for a match, I don't look at the standings,but the forces and the form of the moment. Like Bastia that we have just faced, they are starting to emerge from the head of the water. Amiens, it will be the same. "
Valenciennes has not conceded goals for three games. Paris FC are doing even better by retaining their unstoppable goal for four games now. Both teams rely on an iron defense. "So, do you think it's going to be 0-0?" Laurey quipped. We don't play football to go 0-0. We have certainly changed our minds. We are less beautiful, but more efficient. But it is wrong to say that we are only trying to defend. The goal is always to score at least one more goal than the opponent. But we don't have a lot of leeway, so we have to be humble. We are certainly back in the lead car, but the important thing will be to stay there. The championship remains tight. We hope to continue this series as long as possible and we would have liked to have had a boxing day too (smile). But we are not going to speculate. "
He puts an end to the controversy with Senegal
Laurey also returned to the controversy that grew in Senegal after his comments on coach Aliou Cissé: "We tried to call him, but he did not answer us". “We have a selectable player (Editor's note: Mustapha Name), we just want to know if he has a 100% chance of going to CAN, 50% or 20%, explains the Parisian coach. These are normal club selection relationships. With Kaba Diawara for Guinea, it went like that, we called each other for Kanté and Guilavogui. The same goes for Bernard Diomède (U20) and Landry Chauvin (U19) with regard to our young people… Make no mistake: I would be very happy for him if Name went to CAN. We just want to know, because it will affect our transfer window. If he leaves for CAN, we will have to recruit for his post and that, we must anticipate so as not to be caught off guard."Paris FC should be rather active for this winter transfer window with at least two reinforcements (middle, striker). But he will also degrease and let go or lend, players in need of time in play. We think of Saïd Arab or Lamine Diaby Fadiga. Patrick Koffi (20) has already returned from his loan at Créteil (National) which went rather badly (3 games played).
Ousmane Kanté's departure from CAN should, be, compensated for by the return of Axel Bamba.
Affected and operated on the hamstrings in July, the central defender resumed collective training three weeks ago and will play on Saturday with the reserve (N3) against Linas-Montlhéry.
On the other hand, Julien Lopez (thigh) will no longer play in 2021.
The Parisian group
Paris FC:
Demarconnay, Filipovic - Chergui, Kanté, Camara, Bernauer, Hanin, Hadjam, Koré - Siby, Name, Masevo, Demoncy, Diakité - Caddy, Laura, Guilavogui, Alfarela, Gory.
Entr.
: Laurey.
Absent: Lopez, Diaby Fadiga, Arab, Ndiaye, Mandouki (injured), Bamba (resumed in N3), Campanini (resumed).