Five divisions separated Cannes (National) from Carros (PHA), but on the field, the match was nonetheless balanced. Technique versus courage. In front of 1,500 spectators, the Carrossois demonstrated that they could compete with a professional team, led by their emblematic captain Patrice Carteron. FC Carros honored the virtues of the Coupe de France.
All the ingredients were there. A fervent crowd in unison with its favorite players. An organization worthy of major teams and clubs: exhilarating sound system, match broadcast, substantial security measures, a section for visiting fans… In short, the atmosphere of a big match night with fans taking their seats in the stands an hour before the game. This FC Carros-AS Cannes, the eighth round of the Coupe de France, was for the Carrossois their Champions League final, all things considered.
But football can be cruel. It was cruel on Saturday night for Carros. The scenario seemed pre-written: with heroic resistance from the PHA players, the Cannes team, in green, found themselves disconcerted by the selflessness of their opponents, in red. They struggled against the defense, unable to find solutions. They had some chances, the best ones, but Lady Luck had chosen her side: tonight Carros would win on penalties. It was the perfect scenario. One that thrills every football enthusiast (except the Cannes supporters, of course). One that makes this Coupe de France so magical. As the penalty shootout approached, we remember, for a moment, all those “small” clubs that made big ones falter. Forever in our memories, the journey of Calais, finalist at the Stade de France, but also Sedan or Nîmes.
And why not Carros? We begin to dream of the impossible feat. What if this year, Carros became great? The small club, building or rebuilding with its young players. Simple men highlighted just because they know how to transcend themselves, unite, and sacrifice for their teammates. Round after round under the baton of their wise sorcerer, coach Eric Escato, they shaped their incredible saga. An unfinished saga. A romantic saga turned into tragedy. One penalty hitting the crossbar. Another stopped by Cyril Carrat, the goalkeeper of AS Cannes. The journey of FC Carros comes to an end. No regrets.
For 120 minutes, the Carrossois fought hard, scrapped for every ball… In front of them, the Cannes players, technically superior, but facing a compact block with an impeccable Manu Satragno as the last bastion. Authoritative in his area, he has nothing to envy from some goalkeepers playing at high levels.
Obviously, Cannes deserved their qualification based on the number of opportunities. A strike on the crossbar at the start of the second overtime. Two one-on-ones won by the Carros goalkeeper. A collective mastery of Cannes from the 1st to the 120th minute.
Carros posed a threat on a few counter-attacks and notably at the 50th minute with a free kick, where the ball passed in front of Cyril Carrat’s goal without anyone able to push it into the net. The score never changed. The penalty shootout delivered its verdict. Joyful for Cannes. Despairing for Carros.
At the final whistle, the players of Gérard Bernardet were relieved to have escaped this trap. Carros walks away with its head held high, proud and dignified. This defeat will never tarnish their feats of this year. But on Monday, as the draw for the 9th round is read, a deep bitterness will overtake president Stéphane Monvieux, Captain Patrick M’Bayi, Eric Escato, and all his players. AS Cannes and OGC Nice will know their opponents. Not FC Carros. They will meet Lady Coupe de France again in ten months. The story was beautiful. Football can be so cruel…
Vincent Trinquat
