For their first match of the year, the Gym travels to Toulouse for a rather intense round of 32 match, against vengeful Toulousains.
Pascal Dupraz revisited the previous duel between the two teams, which the Aiglons won 2-1 on November 29: “For an hour, we were good, enterprising, and superior to this Nice team. Objectively, with Jimmy Durmaz’s converted penalty, we were claiming the three points. But there were too many mistakes on our side. Nice took advantage and recovered. Congratulations to them.”
While he feels that the Aiglons have “found a good doctor, in the form of Téfécé, because since then they have recovered,” the Violets’ coach hopes to turn the page this Saturday: “A new opportunity is presented to us, still at home. Let’s not miss it!”
Trailing 1-0, then reduced to 10 players, the Aiglons managed to overturn TFC on their home turf (1-2). “There were several events, with Dante’s red card and the penalty saved (by Benitez), which allowed the game to tip in our favor. It had been a few games that the mindset was better, but it was in Toulouse that it worked out for us,” recalls Maxime Le Marchand.
THE TOULOUSE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Goicoechea, Lafont
Defenders: Amian, Diop, Michelin, Yago
Midfielders: Blin, Bodiger, Boisgard, Cahuzac, Durmaz, Sangaré, Somalia, Sylla
Forwards: Delort, Gradel, Jean, Sanogo
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Cardinale
Defenders: Souquet, Sarr, Burner, Dante, Marlon, Le Marchand
Midfielders: Koziello, Mendy, Seri, Tameze, Perraud
Forwards: Plea, Saint-Maximin, Srarfi, Mahou, Ganago
THE REFEREE
This first match of the year will be officiated by Jérôme Brisard. He will be assisted this Saturday by Julien Aube and Yannick Boutry.
