Zero victory, already five defeats and only four points collected in nine games… The lights have been flashing for a while on the scoreboard of US Créteil-Lusitanos. “For those who only analyze the results, it is catastrophic,” agrees coach Emmanuel Da Costa. The situation is worrying and urgent but, despite everything, there is content… ”
Since the 6-1 sinking against Bourg-en-Bresse (6th day) at Duvauchelle a month ago, the Cristolien coach has seen encouraging signals, for lack of convincing results – a 0-0 draw at Sedan (7th day) and two defeats 1-0 in front of Laval (8th day) and Concarneau (9th day). “For a few weeks now, awareness has arisen in the requirement of concentration, in the fact of taming one’s profession on and off the field, of integrating the instructions, of not letting oneself be overwhelmed by the emotional side. After the slap in Bourg, we were much closer to winning at Sedan than to losing. Then Laval made the general opinion the perfect heist at Duvauchelle. In Concarneau, a National stadium where it is very hard to play, we went it alone during the whole match. Even at ten, the boys did not give up and were superior. We got up to seven goal situations and only conceded one to the opponent. Even if this one hit the mark, there is hope. I am sad for my players. They deserve to be rewarded for what they do on a daily basis. But we are on the right track, that’s for sure. ”
Last National attack with only four goals, the Val de Marnais will not advance without scoring goals. Da Costa asks for patience: “It took a long time to recruit Cheick Fantamady Diarra, who has only been here for three games. In addition, Mokdad and Araujo, who are our spearheads, were injured. We lack their technical accuracy, their last and penultimate pass. “
“Obviously, we are going through difficult weeks”
Créteil must rely on the youth, which is not quite operational. “Our young players have qualities but are discovering the National. You cannot ask them the same things as boys with 5 to 10 years of experience. They are judged with severity when they have been propelled titular under the circumstances. Gaëtan Laura, who was a substitute in N2 in Lens before joining me – in Quevilly-Rouen, during the 2019-2020 season (11 goals), before joining Paris FC in L2 last season – did not become Gaëtan Laura with a wave of a magic wand. He had to go through stages, accumulate the playing time necessary to cross the levels. “
Soaré, Flochon, Belkouche, Urie (suspended), Créteil has also lost key elements during each of his recent outings. “Obviously, we are going through difficult weeks, admits Da Costa. On social networks, players read things that hurt them very badly, about themselves, the staff or the club. When you are nine games away without a win, either the group gives up completely and it is almost a waste of time for the coach. Today, the players respond favorably to anything I ask of them. They have only one desire, it is to fight to get out of this mess and it is already a satisfaction. For my part, I have the confidence of my managers because they know what is happening on a daily basis, because they know the relationship I have with my players and my staff. That stone is thrown at us, it is normal in a popular sport, we assume it. But let no one think that we want to let ourselves die. “Proof of life is expected against Boulogne on Friday evening.
The Red Star (12th) travels to Avranches (9th) this Friday evening (7 p.m.). Led by Habib Beye for three weeks while awaiting the appointment of a head coach, the Audonian team, which remains on a convincing 4-2 victory at Cholet, is aiming for a third unbeaten match in Normandy.
FC Chambly (11th), winner of Avranches 4-2 last week, will play on the lawn at Le Mans (10th) on Friday evening (7 p.m.). This week, the Oise club recorded the arrival of Alexandre Vincent, attacking midfielder, 27, 55 Ligue 2 games with Auxerre.
