Amateur footballers soon in the big leagues. The senior team of the Avenir Côte Foot club (D2) in Renaison, in the Roannais, continues its path in the French Cup. They play this Sunday afternoon, at 3 p.m., at home, against Thiers (Regional 1) for the 6th round.
L’Avenir Côte Foot is one of the last little thumbs of the Cup. If they win on Sunday, they enter the 7th round, the stage where Ligue 2 clubs enter the Coupe de France. That’s the charm of this competition, says Florian Mainas, one of the team’s players, “It’s exciting, because it’s only once in a lifetime, or not. That’s the magic of the Coupe de France: everything is possible and that’s why it’s so famous, because surprises happen and we are part of it, so good.”
We possibly have the opportunity to make history in the Coupe de France by being one of the few district clubs to qualify in the seventh round.” Christophe Puléri, coach at the Avenir Côte Foot.
And even if the level starts to rise, for Florian, no pressure. The goal is to have fun on the field and enjoy with the team: “We are living through moments that are very strong. I have never hugged the players as much as since the start of the season.he smiles. We’re all here for each other.” Same feeling for his teammate, Maxime Duverger: “We are all united and it is true that it is this magic of the Coupe de France which allows us to weld, to strengthen this team spirit. It’s huge what we’re going through, especially since we’re all part of the same group of friends.”
That’s the magic of the Coupe de France: anything is possible and that’s why it’s so famous, because surprises happen and we’re part of it, so good.” Florian Mainas, player of the Avenir Côte Foot.
Despite everything, the team keeps in mind the sporting challenges of the match against Thiers, reminds their coach Christophe Puléri: “It is an issue of qualification for the seventh round of the Coupe de France and the entry of Ligue 2 clubs. We may have the opportunity to mark the history of the Coupe de France by being one of the few district clubs to qualify in the seventh round.
But before the seventh round, we have to beat Thiers, a team that plays in Regional 1. “We play five levels below, explains Christophe Puléri. We can beat them, but it will be with our weapons and at the cost of many efforts on the ground.”
And the Avenir Côte Foot, which brings together the municipalities of Renaison, Saint-Haon-le Vieux and Saint-André d’Apchon, can also count on its supporters. The club is expecting 500 people around the Rivière stadium in Renaison this Sunday. Already last week, during the 5th round, against Avermes (D1) in the Allier, near 150 supporters came by bus to support their team.