On the eve of facing Olympique Lyonnais (2:30 p.m., on FFFtv) in the round of 16 of the Coupe Gambardella-CA, ESA coach Linas-Montlhéry looks back on the fine course of his protégés before projecting himself on this historic meeting.
Tom Thumb of the competition, ESA Linas-Montlhéry (R1) challenges Olympique Lyonnais, defending champion, in the round of 16 of the Coupe Gambardella-Crédit Agricole. At the club for eight years, Madimaro Diarra recovered the U18s last season, in tandem with Jessy Cornet. ” If we had been told at the start of the season that we would be leaders in the championship and that we would face Lyon in the Round of 16 at Gambardella, we would have signed directly! “, laughs the one who will try to qualify the Essonne club for the first round of 16 in its history.
An already historic journey
“What a bonus”
“We remained on a failure in the regional final which had hurt us last year because we had a quality group. This season, we wanted to ensure our maintenance in D1 as quickly as possible to be able to reach the same stage of the Gambardella-Crédit Agricole Cup in the best possible conditions. Once this final won (against Stade Français, 1-0)everything else was just a bonus, and despite difficult draws – Montfermeil then Gonfreville, two residents of the U19 elite – the boys were able to find the resources to win on penalties and get this 16th of historic finale.
The group selected against Gonfreville (Credit ESA Linas-Montlhéry)
Olympique Lyonnais in 16th
“The top level”
“At this stage of the competition, there were only big opponents left for us. With my players, even if it means being eliminated, we wanted to go out against a cador. We can say that we have been served (laughter). Olympique Lyonnais is the top level: the defending champion, one of the biggest training centers in France and Europe… When you play this kind of competition, it’s to rub shoulders with the best, and we are going to have this opportunity”.
The preparation
“Be irreproachable in the state of mind”
“We focus on ourselves, that’s by far the most important thing. We mustn’t get the wrong objective: we can analyze all of OL’s matches over the last three years, but that won’t change anything. The most important thing is to work on our game and our approach to the game. Opposite, it’s a “professional” team that is used to this kind of meeting, a training center that very regularly comes out of future internationals. We know what challenge awaits us, and our main enemy will be ourselves. They will be superior tactically, technically we will have a small card to play but it is above all in the desire and in the state of mind that we must be irreproachable. This match is very present in the minds of the boys, it was felt in the league: we can’t wait for it to happen”.
The detailed route
- 1st regional round – Briard SC – ESA Linas-Montlhéry 1-12
- 2nd regional round – ESA Linas-Montlhéry – AS Meudon: 1-0
- 3rd regional round – Mormant FC – ESA Linas-Montlhéry: 1-8
- 4th regional round – Brunoy FC – ESA Linas-Montlhery: 0-2
- Regional Final – Stade Français – ESA Linas-Montlhéry: 0-1
- 1st federal round – ESA Linas-Montlhéry – Montfermeil FC: 1-1, 4 tab 2
- 32es – ESA Linas-Montlhéry – ESM Gonfreville: 0-0, 4 tab 3
Ambitions
” Get the moon “
“My players believe in it, very strongly, and as I am a competitor I must admit that I do too, even though I know it will be extremely difficult. But it’s also the magic of the Cup, our own final. We are going to bravely play our luck, out of the question of “putting on the bus” and waiting for the penalty shootout. Certainly our chances are slim, we will have few opportunities but we will have some, with the final reward of affording the defending champion. During our qualifying against Montfermeil then Gonfreville, we put in some great performances. Against Lyon, we will simply have to achieve a feat, even if our presence at this stage of the competition is already one. This match will remain a big party for the club no matter what, but we will once again do everything to get the moon”.
1
28
points in total for ESA, i.e. 4 ahead of the second Garenne Colombes
9
wins in 11 matches (for 1 draw and 1 loss)
35
goals scored for 11 conceded
Linas-Montlhéry and the Cups, a great story
With three appearances in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France in four years – a record for an N3/R1 club – and this round of 16 of the Coupe Gambardella-Crédit Agricole, ESA Linas-Montlhéry has an excellent record in the national cups. ” It is work that is rewarded. I am thinking in particular of our match against PSG in 2020 [32es de finale, élimination 6-0] : the club was in financial difficulty but always made sure that its players, in all categories, were in the best possible condition. By defying Paris, there was a big spotlight on the ESA which allowed us to reform our youth sector. It is partly thanks to this that we are here today, with a formative and rewarded Linas-Montlhéry. Cups have always been part of our club’s DNA. »
