This is the beginning of the adventure for Stade Lavallois. The Tangos travel to Orvault, near Nantes, an R1 club (sixth division) this Saturday for their entry into the running, in the 7th round, in the Coupe de France. The objective clearly announced by President Laurent Lairy and by the club is to go at least to the round of 16 of the competition. The Laval residents were eliminated just before last year, in the round of 32, against Quevilly Rouen Métropole on penalties after having eliminated Le Mans in particular. The shadow of a difficult course, as has been the case in recent years, hovers over the players and the staff but all are trying to evacuate these bad memories.
The defeat against QRM badly digested by the Laval coach
“If you prepare for a match with the fear of being eliminated, you don’t necessarily send the right signals to your players”begins coach Olivier Frapolli, “there is never an easy match but we have the possibility of passing, it is in our ropes, but for that we have to be very serious”. Before falling to Le Mans, last year’s journey was long and strewn with pitfalls, “we had difficult matches, especially in Vertou, in Vendée also it had not been easy, but we are in the 7th round and the more you advance in the rounds the more the remaining clubs have done a lot of things to get there “, he said. Olivier Frapolli has moreover badly digested the defeat on penalties against QRM in the 32nd final, “I yes but the players no and I think it was very good actually because history showed us that behind we had an incredible month of January with five wins”.
Do not neglect the lower level team
“It’s true that last year we qualified with difficulty but we against the so-called lower level teams, they have the motivation which is undoubtedly higher than us, the field also plays and there is always an atmosphere particular it is not easy to approach”admits defender Marvin Baudry. “We don’t necessarily talk about last year again” or recent years adds the former Choletais, “every year there are always surprises, the goal is that we are not part of these surprises”. He assures the team will stay focuseddespite the five divisions gap with Orvault, “the danger is precisely to relax mentally, to be less motivated, to prepare a little less well for the match because we are playing against a lower level team, that’s the danger”.
The group to face Orvault
In any case, we will have to do without the Laval striker Zakaria Naidji, suspended, nor Julien Maggiottigone to Corsica to join his companion for a happy event. Kevin Perrot, Remy Duterte and Pierrick Cros return to the group.
Kick-off at 3 p.m. for Stade Lavallois this Saturday in Orvault for the 7th round of the Coupe de France.