It’s an intense week for the FCSM. A victory in Nîmes (1-3), a high-level draw against the leader Toulouse (1-1) and now a long trip to Pau. There are four games left for the Sochaliens to finish the season as high as possible. The play-offs are almost certain, but Omar Daf’s men dream of much better than this current fifth place.
“In mercenary mode”
For several weeks, the FCSM has been more mature, sharper, more killer. And it shows in the results too: six games unbeaten, including four wins. However, due to the form of its competitors Ajaccio, Auxerre and Paris FC, Sochaux remains fifth. “We are in the worst place for the play-offs. We want more, but it’s not just up to us“says striker Aldo Kalulu.
“We’re in mercenary mode, that’s clearly what we said to each other” adds the one who has scored eight times this season. “We have to shave everything in front of us. We are mentally and physically ready.“
A pact between us has already started several days ago – Aldo Kalulu
Beware of the Pau trap
In this final sprint, it is therefore Pau FC which is the next step of the FCSM. The Palois are 13th, almost certain to be saved. Their current series of three defeats in a row can be misleading: against Auxerre for example (1-4), the Palois finished at 9. And they have already brought down, during the first part of the season, Paris FC and Ajaccio in their stadium, the smallest in Ligue 2 (4,000 seats). “It’s a team that can be surprising, with a very vertical game and experienced players” warns coach Omar Daf.
In principle, no absentee
The Sochaux coach will be able, in principle, to count on the same men as during the reception of Toulouse on Tuesday. The Sochaux group nevertheless once again has 20 players, in anticipation of a possible defection. The case of Ismaïl Aaneba does not yet seem to be settled. Against Toulouse, the Franco-Moroccan was on the bench, after having been absent in Nîmes a few days earlier.