Match night with the Le Mans reception. USO Orléans receives Le Mans this Friday, April 1, 2022 on behalf of the 28th day of National. After the 2-1 victory at Avranches last weekend, Xavier Collin’s men want to continue this momentum. But the adversary looks tough. Le Mans is currently 6th and can still believe in the climb.
The arrival of Cris at the Source
Sarthe players are coached by the former defender of Olympique Lyonnais Cristiano Marques Gomes, nicknamed Cris. The Brazilian is enjoying his first season on a National bench. He will find Xavier Collin against whom he played during his career. The two men also crossed paths during the coaching diploma. So the coming of Cris to the Source this evening, it is not nothing.
When we talk about the “Policeman”, Cris’ nickname on Ligue 1 pitches, memories come back. Starting with the USO followers. This is the case of Patrick, a loyal red and yellow supporter. “It’s always nice to see great champions come to Orléans, it’s an emblem. I think it pulls up Le Mans. For a club, it’s wonderful to have a coach like him.“
Reunion with Xavier Collin
More than 300 games with Olympique Lyonnais of which four titles of Champion of France, 22 selections with Brazil. Memories, there are also for Xavier Collin, the Orleans coach. He played against Cris when he was a player in Ajaccio and Montpellier. “We had the opportunity to warm up a bit when we were players. But it was the good period for Olympique Lyonnais so I often suffered more than him on the pitch.”
– Alexandre Chignon
Then players Collin and Cris became coaches. Once again, an almost identical course for the two men. “He also went through training and the amateur world. Today he is in a similar experience to mine in an ambitious club.“
– Julien Frenoy
Do not end in freewheel
For his part, Orleans defender Nicolas Saint-Ruf hopes pocket the three victory points and start a series. “We come out of a victory even if it’s not the best of the season, but it’s still a victory and victories make you want to win more and more.”
He is also aware that the USO will play a role of arbiter with matches against teams that play the rise or the maintenance. “We know that it is an important match for Le Mans this Friday for their end of the championship. We are going to give everything to win and not end up coasting.“
USO membership
For the reception of Le Mans, Xavier Collin has to do with the absences of Fred Dembiinjured adductor, Jimmy Halby Toure affected the adductors. Ibrahim Sangare and Cedric Yambere trained this Thursday morning but remain uncertain. Back from Timothee Nkada who should be on the bench or in recovery with the reserve on Sunday.
The match between US Orléans and Le Mans FC can be followed live and in full on France Bleu Orléans from 6:30 p.m. this Friday.