five things to know before Dijon [J28]

In recent history, Dijon FCO has often succeeded in its trips to Hainaut. It is this same opponent that the VAFC had crushed in 2011 to sign the first victory on its new lawn. Here are five things to know before receiving the Dijonnais.

Dominated but winner on the way

During the tenth day of Ligue 2 BKT, it was a VAFC reinvigorated by its first home victory of the season, against Bastia, which moved to Côte-D’Or. The first act is relatively balanced, each team gets good situations. But the Valenciennes will take the advantage at the very end of the period thanks to Mathis Picouleau, author of a sumptuous volley. This goal will be the only one of the match, since in the second period, Lucas Chevalier will lock his cage by making four very precious saves. In a state of grace, the doorman of the VAFC is saved twice by his uprights. Six points in three days which do a lot of good for VA, which goes back to thirteenth place.

A series of eleven years to stop

Dijon is a team that obviously likes to travel to Hainaut. During its last three visits, the DFCO has always imposed itself. In 2014, the Dijonnais swept Valenciennes, three goals to zero. Almost similar price the following year with another success of the Burgundians, three goals to one. More recently, two years ago in the Coupe de France, Dijon put an end to Valenciennes’ hopes by eliminating them with a score of two goals to one. We must go back to September 17, 2011 to find a success of the VAFC against the Dijonnais. Daniel Sanchez’s men had not done in lace by winning 4-0 (Danic, Pujol x2, Cohade). It was also VA’s first victory in its new setting.

Worst home defense

With twenty-four goals conceded, the VAFC is by far the worst defense in the championship at home. The slaps suffered against Nîmes (0-3), Rodez (1-4) or even Paris FC (1-4) obviously do not help to improve this very sad total. Small reason for hope, Valenciennes remains on a “clean sheet” against Pau, during its last home game. Failing to chain the successes, can VA find its salvation in the defensive solidity of the remaining matches?

Dijonnais on alternating current

Paying a catastrophic start to the season, the DFCO is just beginning to get its head above water, even if the red zone is not that far away. Like the VAFC, the Dijonnais have only succeeded once in chaining three successes in a row in the league. On the eve of this meeting, only two small points separate the two formations. If VA wants to get out of an eternally dangerous situation, it will be necessary to succeed in chaining two home victories in two games for the first time this season.

Scheidler silent since four meetings

Dijon FCO’s top scorer with nine goals this season, 23-year-old striker Aurélien Scheidler has had the best season of his young career so far. However, since his achievement against the Toulouse leader on February 5, Scheidler has not found the net. In thirteen shots, the DFCO striker has never been able to deceive the various opposing goalkeepers. Now let’s hope that the Valenciennes defense does not revive the Dijonnais by allowing him to score a tenth goal in Ligue 2 this season.

Arthur LASSERON