Seven points out of nine in 2022, no defeat since six league games (the last dates back to November, in Toulouse), fourth in the standings: the figures are enough to excite the FCSM. But this season, the fight is such at the top of the table that rationality is not required to aim for the climb. To stay on top, you must not leave anything in the way.
New stage of the road to the climb against a team from Amiens which can be surprising. A meeting for which the Sochaliens will be deprived of Tony Mauricio and Yann Kitala, suspended.
A “crazy” and “exciting” championship
The late days have proven it: the “big ones” stall with the “small ones”, and in the standings, the space is slim. Only two points between the TFC, leader, and Sochaux, fourth. Auxerre, fifth, is only five points from first place. An addition of good vibes could even allow the Yellow and Blue to be leaders at the end of this 23rd day : a big victory against Amiens, combined with a defeat of Toulouse (which receives Dijon) and a draw in the poster of the day, Paris FC-Ajaccio.
“This championship is crazy, and difficult“stresses FCSM coach Omar Daf.”I think it’s been a long time since we’ve seen so many teams at the top of the standings with so little gap. Anyone can beat anyone. It’s an open championship, even if there are five teams that have been on top from the start. It can be played on a detail. _It’s very stimulating and it’s even exciting because we know that there is no match that is won in advance_. But it is not finished.”
Sochaux supporters are already salivating posters looming by mid-March: Ajaccio, Paris FC and Auxerre. But it is indeed far from over.
To arrive in good condition against direct competitors, it is still necessary to correct a recurrent evil, preview against Nîmes, Valenciennes, Quevilly: losing points at home against seemingly affordable teams. “Having as many wins as possible against the teams in the second half of the table also allows us to garner the maximum confidence to tackle the big matches that await us in the coming weeks.” says defender Florentin Pogba.
To build, Sochaux can be based on the start of the year 2022 according to his coach. “We did what was necessary over the past month. Of the nine possible points, we took 7 (victories in Le Havre and against Caen, draw in Dunkirk). It’s good. Now we start the month of February. We must try to do as well to continue to be among the best teams in this championship. “
Without Lopy, Mauricio or Kitala… and without reinforcements
Against Amiens, Omar Daf will only have one top striker: Aldo Kalulu. Yann Kitala is suspended, Adama Niane has left, Hermann Tebily is unavailable. Enough to revive the question of the winter transfer window, during which no offensive reinforcements arrived. “When you work for weeks, months, to try to attract players, and there have been no arrivals, yes, there are regrets” summed up the bitter yellow and blue coach.
The offensive sector will also be deprived of Tony Mauricio, also suspended. Midfielder Joseph Lopy is still at the African Cup, of which he will play Sunday evening the final with Senegal, against Egypt. The Guardian Maxence Prévot is still absent. Injured in the hand since the beginning of December, he has still not resumed specific training dedicated to goalkeepers, but exercises in the field in training.
Note, however, the return of Steve Ambri, back from CAN.
Amiens in ambush
Be careful not to take a cold snap against the Picards. Amiens is in 13th place in the standings, but the ASC has recovered in recent weeks: three wins and a draw in the last six games, for just narrow 1-0 defeats against Ajaccio and Paris FC. “They are a very athletic team, with good leading players” recognizes defender Florentin Pogba. “In particular, they have a striker who has scored a lot of goals (Aliou Badji, 7 goals in 14 games). Like many Ligue 2 matches, it will be a complicated match. We’re going to make it easy.”
“He is a very strong opponent physically“adds Omar Daf.”On paper, they have players who have great value, experience. We must not forget that they came down from Ligue 1 only two years ago. It’s a team in form, which has all the arguments to do well in the league.”
Sochaux-Amiens will be live this Saturday at 6:45 p.m. on France Bleu Belfort Montbéliard. Kick off at 7 p.m.