A match not to drop out. “We are in a situation where we are at the back of this first platoon. We must pick up, we must not let ourselves be unhooked“, explains Paul Le Guen, the coach of HAC (6th) immediately before the meeting against Paris FC (5th). The match is played this Monday at Le Mans, the Parisian club having received a sanction of five firm matches. far from the Charléty stadium (because of the incidents that occurred in the stands during the Coupe de France match against Lyon, editor’s note).
Stay in the lead
“I am convinced that we have the potential to stay in this small peloton. The real leaders today are Sochaux and Ajaccio since they have games behind. And it’s not necessarily on a match that we can compete“, analyzes the HAC coach. Facing Sochaux at the Océane stadium a little over a week ago, the HAC had lost 1-0 as against Ajaccio at home also before the winter break.
The HAC can nevertheless count on its performance outside (Auxerre 2-3 on December 22, 2021). But the offensive shortcomings of the Skies and Marines are still felt. “The Cornette-Alioui-Boutaïb trio are my best attackers, I will not change for the match against Paris FC“, insists Paul Le Guen. “We must turn these short defeats, I am convinced that we can do it“, he adds.
Closing offensive gaps
And if the offensive freshness came from a new striker? Jamal Thiaré is in the recovery phase after being hit in the knee. Pape Ibnou Ba recruited last summer is at the CAN with Gabon. But a name keeps coming back with insistence from the Ciels et Marine side, that of Matthis Abline.
The young 18-year-old striker from Rennes is favored by the Le Havre coach. “Bruno Genesio (Stade Rennais coach) and Florian Maurice (sports director) seem to agree on the principle. The player must also wish to join us. He has other options. But we hope he will give his preference to ours“, is cautious Paul Le Guen.
Matthis Abline has been supervised for several months by the senior club. “He appeared during our friendly match in Dinard last summer, then we followed him with the Rennes reserve and with the France under-20 team. We would like that to happen. If the opportunity arises, I think we will, that’s for sure“, adds the coach of the Skies and Marines.