In the spans of the Allianz Riviera, the people of Versailles do not want to return to their hotel. The match has been over for almost an hour and their adventure in the Coupe de France ended in the semi-finals in a mixture of pride and regret. They held on for half time and only gave in on two kicks from the feline Amine Gouiri. While they are already thinking of their next National 2 match next Saturday against Chateaubriand to get even closer to the rise in National, the Yvelinois know that the time for memories in the Coupe de France has come.
Makan Traoré is the first to come and deliver his feelings. “The most beautiful memory will remain this match in Nice despite the defeat, he admits. Everything was bigger. There was more noise, more people in the stands and the strongest opponent we have ever played. I will also remember my goal scored in the Round of 16 against La Roche-sur-Yon (4-0) and the solidarity of a group”.
“Solidarity and the birth of a group”
Melvyn Vieira, the midfielder, is as talkative as his teammate. “What should be remembered is that we looked Nice straight in the eye. And the memories, I think we’ll start making them when we watch the videos and the articles written about us. We will be with family or with our friends and we will remember all these good times. This is what will remain: we have written a small page in the history of the Coupe de France but also a beautiful page in the history of the club. Personally, I think what struck me the most was my cry of joy when we qualified in Bergerac for the quarter-finals. I don’t yell a lot on a pitch and it’s the first time I’ve screamed so much. And I also add the bronca of the Nice public when we entered the field. This one, with all these people, I was waiting for. »
Diego Michel offers himself a nice formula: “I will tell all this to my children if I ever have any! And there will also be this enormous joy that has accompanied us throughout this adventure. Ah yes, and also the immense noise of this Allianz Riviera. When there were the two Nice goals, even if it was against us, it was impressive to live from the field. »
More calm, coach Youssef Chibi concludes the evening by refusing to unearth a specific memory. “I prefer to retain solidarity and the birth of a group. We weren’t expected and I witnessed fine examples of human values. My players are not just good footballers. They are also all good guys. »
