Ligue 2: joined by Le Havre, Paris FC misses the opportunity to be leader

Thierry Laurey applauds while displaying a dubious pout. Like his players, he went through all the states on Monday evening. With the relocation to Le Mans for this first of five games of Charléty’s suspension – pending the passage before the higher appeal commission -, the absentees (Name, Guilavogui and Kanté at CAN) and the lack of competition, Paris FC had everything to fear from this first match in 2022 against Le Havre. But he made the show and then blew the cold. Irresistible in the first half with two goals in 17 minutes, he then dived and was joined (2-2). A frustrating draw that ended his six-game winning streak and a magnificent failed operation. If successful, Paris FC would have seized the leader’s chair on equal points with Sochaux. But he remains 4th before a new clash on Saturday at Auxerre (5th).

What you must remember

A half for each team and a strange match. In 3-5-2 with the first tenure in L2 of young Yoan Koré (17), Paris FC had undoubtedly made its best start since the start of the championship. Not disturbed by the four weeks without playing, the Parisians regaled and tortured a completely overwhelmed Le Havre team. On a recovery in the feet of the defense, Alamami Gory, the child of Le Havre, goes away to deceive Fofana (1-0, 4th). After a great collective action, Gory then served Check-Oumar Diakité who scored the first goal of his career in L2 (2-0, 17th). After this thunderous start to the match, Paris FC quietly mastered the first period. Only annoyance, the injury (thigh) of Koré who must give way to Axel Bamba. The 22-year-old central defender, operated on for a ruptured hamstring tendon in July, is making his comeback. Samir Chergui takes the right lane, not really his position.

But after the rest, Le Havre will make Paris FC live what he had inflicted on him. In three minutes, Boutaïb (60th), who had revealed himself to Gazélec Ajaccio with Laurey who then took him with him to Strasbourg, then Alioui equalized (2-2, 63rd). The match has completely changed its soul. The Parisians can no longer find each other and lose a lot of balls. Very annoyed, Paul Le Guen, the HAC coach even demanded a penalty for a hand from Camara (69th). Maxime Bernauer, captain for an evening for his return to Le Mans, must counter Cornette who was going to challenge Vincent Demarconnay (75th). After walking on his opponent for more than 30 minutes, Paris FC came close to correctional.

Player: Alamami Gory

It was “his” game and he didn’t celebrate his goal. Alamami Gory faced the club of his hometown, where he was trained (83 games, 17 goals in L2). His son Moussa was also born in Le Havre four days ago. The 25-year-old striker on loan to Paris FC from Cercle Bruges (D1 Belgium) was decisive with a goal and an assist. He brings his total to 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 games played with the PFC.

The number: 200

Jonathan Iglésias, who arrived from Clermont on January 3, was playing his first match with Paris FC. A successful first where he showed everything he could bring to his new team. It was also the 200th match in L2 for the native of Montevideo (Uruguay) who arrived in France in 2014 in Nancy.

The reaction

“We knew we only had one hour of fuel in the tank and that it would be complicated over time. We sailed a little by sight. We have boys who have not played for 4 weeks, we have had cases of Covid with players who only resumed at the end of the week. I want to hear that we could have managed the match better. But we have young people, with whom I am happy to work, who lack experience. It will help them to understand that a match is never over even when we are leading 2-0. Koré’s injury was a problem for us. I would have liked to make two changes to revitalize the team but we didn’t have time because we conceded this second goal in three minutes. We had a moment of bewilderment of 10 minutes. We gave in but we didn’t break up. It remains hopeful even if this 2nd half leaves us with a bitter taste. In view of the physiognomy of the match, it is a disappointment. But we knew it would be a complicated game. This point satisfies me because we could have lost this match. The important thing was to keep the gap with Le Havre. You have to know how to be patient, not to get tipsy. We have not lost for a long time, we are moving forward. » Thierry Laurey, coach of Paris FC

Information: new sponsors at Paris FC

A new sponsor which joins the “major” partners (Vinci, Aesio, Groupe ADP) appeared on the jersey of the Parisian players during this match: the telephone operator Lyca Mobile. A partnership which falls within the framework of the arrival in the capital (10%) of the Anglo-Sri Lankan entrepreneur Allirajah Subaskaran, founder and president of Lyca Group in the United Kingdom. An Armenian group that owns the sports betting operator Vbet will also take a stake in the capital (10%). Finally, the Monoprix brand will join the “official” partners.