For its first outing of 2018, the Gym is already out of the Coupe de France, thanks to another blunder from Cardinale. Beware of a relapse.
The Gym’s curse with the Coupe de France continues. Rarely favored by the draw in recent years, the Aiglons had to travel again to face a top-tier team to kick off the 2018 edition.
As he had announced since the resumption, Lucien Favre did not intend to throw away this match despite the hectic schedule awaiting his team, which was, until that noon, the only team in France alongside PSG still engaged in four competitions. Given the announced absences of Balotelli (recovery) and Jallet (injured), a squad similar to those of 2017 started at the Stadium, with the classic goalkeeper rotation in the Cup.
In significant difficulty against Téfécé in the first half at the end of November, the Aiglons did not experience these challenges on this Saturday afternoon during their first act of 2018. They had territorial domination, with possession (64%) and created two big chances through Srarfi (6th, saved by Lafont) and Plea (9th, dribble too long in front of the Toulouse goalkeeper). On the local side, only a well-deflected shot by Gardel after a confused action or Dante acting as the last defender twice (16th) was noteworthy.
ANOTHER ONE FOR CARDINALE
Right at the start of the second half, often a tricky moment for the Gym this season, the game turned. On an innocuous cross from the left, a fumble by Cardinale benefited the opportunistic Somalia, who didn’t miss the unexpected gift (1-0, 51st).
Trailing due to this stroke of bad luck, Lucien Favre’s men had a timid response. Souquet was thwarted by Lafont after a good run (55th), Dante thought he had equalized only to see the assistant referee’s flag raised for offside (60th), all while the threat from the Violets was more present, with Jean (57th) or Delort (70th) having the ball to finish off the match at their feet. Lucien Favre introduced his two promising young forwards, Ignatius Ganago (returning after two injuries) and Hicham Mahou to push back, but Dupraz’s men stood firm and held onto this slim advantage.
As very (too) often in recent seasons, the Gym exits the Coupe de France as soon as they participate, but they will be back on Tuesday night, this time in the Coupe de la Ligue against neighboring Monaco for an intense derby and the opportunity to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
WORDS, WORDS…
LUCIEN FAVRE: *”We suffered in the opening minutes. Toulouse put in a strong physical effort, we endured high pressing and struggled to get the ball out. We took risks, sometimes too dangerous. Then we were better, we had two big chances in the rest of the first half. We conceded a goal early in the second and then it’s true we struggled to take control of the game and especially to create chances. In the one-on-ones, the movements, the attacking drive, it wasn’t there, it was too disjointed.”*
DANTE: *”We are disappointed because we wanted to win and qualify. I think we did everything necessary, but yes, we always seem to lack a goal. Sometimes it just doesn’t go in, but overall we didn’t concede many chances. We had 2-3 clear ones. There are things to improve on, but it’s very encouraging for the future: we have to keep the same mindset for Tuesday because we gave it our all. There are very positive aspects, but when you don’t win, you must always self-critique to improve.”*
