His word is often gospel. So, when Arnaud Archimbaud, the experienced captain of C’Chartres Football (N2) speaks before a 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, we open our site wide to him. Interview on the eve of this event match against Chauvigny (N3), this Sunday, December 19 (6:20 p.m.), in Châtellerault (Vienne).
Arnaud Archimbaud, what does this 32nd final of the Coupe de France represent for you?
It is above all a historic moment for the club and for the city. Qualifying for the round of 16 would be a first… And I want us to be able to see our names in the future book of Chartres exploits. For us, this is a great opportunity before the holidays.
Coupe de France (8th round): C’Chartres Foot eliminates Chatou after a crazy match!
Do you see yourself favorites of the showdown?
We can see it as a game where we have a lot to lose… Whatever happens, it will remain a good course, but it will not have the flavor of a course where we would have eliminated teams of a higher level if it stops there. The epics you remember, and I have lived through them *, are when you come face to face with professional teams. We are still talking a lot about the 8th round we did against Caen (1-0 defeat) here because we were good against a Ligue 2. At the end of the year, I’m not sure we tell me about this course again if the result were negative. Even if, we know the value of the opponents that we have eliminated and the complexity of the context that the Cup can represent.
There are a lot of people who run into us, sometimes with good reason, compared to what we did in the league. For now, in the Coupe de France, we have done the right thing. And to keep silencing all that can be said a little, you simply have to win.
–
It means that you must not miss …
For people, it’s normal that we are there and it would be normal that we go to qualify in Chauvigny. I kinda see that as adversity, the fact that we do not sublimate the performances we achieve in the Coupe de France. There are a lot of people who come across us, sometimes with good reason, compared to what we have done in the league. For now, in the Coupe de France, we have done the right thing. And to keep silencing all that can be said a little, you simply have to win.
premium Stéphane Malloyer and Chauvigny (N3) will receive the C’Chartres Football: “I have a team that has no doubts”
What are the ingredients to skip an extra lap?
A lot of rigor, solidity. A lot of enthusiasm. And I think you also need a good mastery of the event. A 32nd final, there are not a lot of players who must have played for us. On their side either. There will be a whole context to understand. It will be a televised game, so we must not fall into the trap of wanting to do too much. But remain very efficient, pragmatic.
There will be no need to insist on the stake, because, sometimes, it can make the legs tremble. My advice will be to stay natural, as relaxed as possible. You should almost put yourself in the kid’s shoes.
–
What role will you have as a captain?
We know the importance of this match for the entire workforce, for the club and for the city of Chartres which only asks to monopolize the event if we have to shoot a big one in 16th. But all this should not change the way we approach things and our behavior. There will be no need to insist on the stake, because, sometimes, it can make the legs tremble. My advice will be to stay natural, as relaxed as possible. It would almost be necessary to put yourself in the shoes of the little one and tell yourself that it would be an achievement to arrive in 16th.
What do you dream of in the event of qualification?
My goal is clear. It’s not about making an epic because I think we leave a lot of feathers there at one point and I’m not sure we have a sufficiently mature workforce to master all events. But it’s getting kicked out by a fat guy. We need a nice party here in Chartres. May the people of the city come and watch a game against a professional team, may all the volunteers and supporters who are behind us all the time benefit from it. Our course, if we pass, will deserve this.
–
* He played the 32nd round twice: with Le Mans (N2) in 2017-2018 (3-2 elimination against Lille / L1) and with Quevilly (N2) in 2014-2015, the season where he even reached the 8th final (elimination 2-0 at Boulogne / Nat) after having taken out 1-0 Bastia (L1).
Draw after the match
The qualified between Chauvigny and C’Chartres Football, this Sunday, December 19, will not have long to wait to know his opponent. The draw for the round of 16 is scheduled for 8:20 p.m., in the wake of the match, and will be broadcast live on Eurosport. This time, more geographic groups, it will be a full draw.
–
Franck Thébault
– .
