It's an important 19th day of Nationals that Red Star and Versailles will contest this Friday evening (7:30 p.m.).
The two Ile-de-France clubs are traveling to two heroes of the Coupe de France who are preparing to challenge two big L1 clubs next week in the round of 16.
Sochaux, Red Star's opponent, will host Rennes on Tuesday February 6 and Rouen, Versailles' opponent, will host Monaco on Thursday February 8.
This Friday evening, Sochaux and Rouen will perhaps already have these gala posters in mind...
The Red Star, which has not played since January 12 and its victory against Orléans (2-1) due to the postponement of its match against GOAL FC, will have the opportunity to further crush the championship during its next two matches since he will face Sochaux (4th at 11 points) and Martigues (2nd at 7 points).
The Sochaliens remain on three consecutive victories in the league and two exploits in the Coupe de France with the elimination of two L1 clubs, Lorient and Reims.
After coming close to disappearing this summer, a whole club is coming back to life.
The Red Star will play in front of a Bonal stadium which promises to be very full.
If the transfer window ended this Thursday evening, Red Star recorded no movement.
Also read: Pauline Gamerre returns to Red Star: “I will be just as involved, but less impacted”
In free fall, Versailles has strengthened itself
On the other hand, Versailles was rather active with the signings of striker Sofiane Boudraa, 20 years old on loan from Valenciennes where he played 7 L2 matches during the first part of the season, and especially Gaoussou Traoré.
The 24-year-old midfielder was one of the best players in National last season (elected to the standard team) and moved up to L2 with Concarneau.
He left the Breton club after a contractual imbroglio, Concarneau believing that he was still under contract while the player and his entourage claimed that he was free.
Traoré finally signed in Serbian D1 at FK Radnicki Nis.
But after only 4 matches played, he is back in France and it is Versailles who pulled off this nice move.
✍🏼 #𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐅𝐂𝐕 |
𝐆𝐚𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐞́ 𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐬!
Midfielder, Gaoussou arrives from FK Radnički Niš (Serbian D1).
Trained at @AmiensSC, he has already tasted Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 with the Picard club.
Last season he… pic.twitter.com/uaXOg78E1k
— FC Versailles 👑 (@FCVersaillesOff) January 30, 2024
His arrival should boost a team which remains in four games without a victory, including three consecutive defeats.
The state of grace indeed seems to be over for Grégory Vignal who had an idyllic debut on the bench with a 6-0 against Nîmes and a 4-1 against Épinal at the Jean-Bouin stadium.
But after the spectacular draw against Red Star (2-2) before the break, Versailles lost three times in 2024, to GOAL FC (2-0), against Martigues (0-1) and Orléans (2 -1).
Now 12th, the 78 club finds itself under threat of relegation and will have to achieve a result in Rouen to stop its bad spiral.