After the Gironde and Libourne, the Dordogne and Trélissac, then the reception of Nîmes, Toulouse continues its tour of France, this Sunday afternoon (1:45 p.m.), on the Côte-d’Azur against Cannes (N3). With a clear objective: to qualify to prepare well for the return phase in the league. But beware …
La Croisette to restart. There is worse as the first game of the year, in any case on the map (even if the weather does not promise to be extraordinary despite a forecasted mercury of 12 ° C) or on paper (a N3 opposite, either the 5th Division). But Philippe Montanier, who is fond of formulas, knows it better than anyone: appearances are often deceptive … especially in football. And the movement of his protégés at the very beginning of the afternoon in the Pierre-de-Courbertin stadium, more commonly known as La Bocca – which once experienced the thrills of Europe – is a perfect trap.
“There will be a lot of handicaps to overcome to pass, confirms the Toulouse coach, but we are used to it; it’s our lot every weekend.”
Like pros in the face
At the top of the list, the AS Cannes of Jean-Noël Cabezas is not an amateur team. “The Cannes players who have federal contracts (they do not work alongside, editor’s note), exercise on a daily basis, underlines Ph. M., their coach also comes from the pro seraglio. In short, I have the impression that ‘we meet a professional team. And we are preparing since the resumption as if we were playing AC Ajaccio (leader of L2), Auxerre or Paris FC. “
Then, quite simply, the match takes place at the ASC where, apart from a good hoped-for room (about 4,000 spectators), the training of the one who had already fallen OM three years ago with Andrézieux- Bouthéon (N2) shows neither more nor less than a full box – remember: 5 days of the championship, 5 successes; 15 goals scored, only 1 conceded. So, yes, in the cup she spent the last three laps on penalties [vs Le Puy/N2, Rodez et Dijon], but she qualified. “I have noted that our opponent is a specialist in penalties, smiles Montanier, but we also work on them. Moreover, we had similarly come out of it when we entered the fray (against Libourne, 0 -0, 3-1 tab). Well, we’ll try – and I imagine Cannes has the same idea – to tie up the debates beforehand; now, if we have to go, we’ll be ready. “
Penos and “Lolo”
The RAF, therefore, had been the second victim of the Riviera keeper Florian Verplanck, pushing back two Ruthenian penos. “Yes, answers the former technician of Real Sociedad, I called Lolo (Peyrelade, Aveyron coach). Already we get along really well; I asked him for information – as my bench counterpart had to inquire with colleagues, it’s fair game. “
Hungry for … start
Beyond the ASC obstacle, Philippe Montanier wants to see further, on the horizon line. “January is going to be very important. Every month is, of course; but here it is a question of giving the right impetus at the time of opening the second chapter of the season. We had achieved it at the opening of the ball. , the results followed… We are in the presence of the same scenario. We have finished well, we must start again. We must obtain the qualification, that will be useful to us to start with and for the reception of Nancy. We had seen it. in the previous round with our victory over Les Crocos (4-1) which allowed us to continue three days later at Les Costières (2-1). “
“The players are aware of the deadlines that await us, concludes the Norman. New Years? Training Friday and Saturday. Life is quite long, we will have other opportunities to celebrate. For example May 14 for accession in L1… “
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