Football – Playoffs: Grenoble defeats Paris FC

This Tuesday was played the first round of the playoffs for accession to Ligue 1 between Grenoble and Paris FC. And at home, the Grenoblois have mastered their subject to win (2-0). Philippe Hinschberger’s men will face Toulouse in the next round.

This Tuesday evening, in addition to the announcement of the list of Didier Deschamps for the Euro, Grenoble received the Paris FC for the first round of the playoffs for the rise in League 1. The GF 38, fourth in the regular season, therefore welcomed the Parisians, fifth. And in a very open meeting, it is finally Grenoble which retains its chances of reaching the elite next season. Indeed, it is the players of Philippe Hinschberger who won at home (2-0). After opening the scoring early in the game, the Grenoblois will have suffered the assaults of Paris but have been able to keep this lead, and even crucify their opponents in the last moments.

Grenoble decisive entry

First, the first period was played in two stages. The Grenoblois got off to a good start in this match. From the first minutes, they were dangerous with regard to the Parisians who, for lack of concentration, struggled to contain the opposing assaults. And they will quickly pay the price, on an off-center free kick on the left side in the eighth minute. Thrown alone into the depth by Benet while the PFC was not ready, Yoric Ravet center and find Anani at the far post after the ball has been deflected.

Only, he will have to hang himself there twice to open the scoring. Firstly, Vincent Demarconnay, the Parisian goalkeeper, saves the head of the Ivorian at the last minute. But it won’t be enough Achille Anani is given a second chance, with his foot this time around, which he does not miss. So that makes 1-0 in the eighth minute for the home team which seems to be the only one playing tonight.

But the PFC woke up

Until the half hour of play, Grenoble will completely suffocate his opponent who is sorely lacking in commitment and aggressiveness. But the roles will be reversed in the second part of this first half. Indeed, the intensive pressing of the GF 38 tired players who are less inclined to make the effort. From the 26^th minute it’s so Diaby-Fatigue, which, with a distant strike, will find the external amount of Brice Maubleu for the first real occasion for Parisians.

And three minutes later, it’s Florent Hanin who will play against the defense of Grenoble. On his left side, he will suffer a foul just a few centimeters from the penalty area. The free kick will not give anything, but at least the Paris FC get closer and dominate Grenoble. But the latter are moving again despite their difficulty in getting the ball out properly. They get two big chances that will give nothing thanks to awakened defenders and a Vincent Demarconnay sparkling tonight.

A hotly contested second half …

And in the continuity of this end of the first half, Grenoble succeeded the start of the second. Upon returning from the locker room, the Swiss Charles Pickel, with a heavy strike, starts hostilities. But Paris is also much more enterprising, like eat, much more available on its left side. However, the two numbers do not seem to have recovered from the day of League 2 Saturday and the second period and much less rich in intensity than the first.

We will have to wait for the 59^th minute to see a frank new opportunity. And she is on the Grenoble side. Benet is found in the box after a nice collective movement and hits hard at the near post. Unfortunately, it does not pass in front of the evening wall: Vincent Demarconnay. Four minutes later, it was the turn of the Parisians to get their first real chance of this period. Florian Martin, come into play five minutes earlier, unleashes a powerful, floating strike but faces a Maubleu concentrate that does not get trapped.

But Grenoble remains solid and makes the break

Ensuite, Grenoble will logically gradually retreat to keep his score while their opponents will give free rein to the attack. And this strategy will allow the PFC to get an equalizer ball. At the 79^th minute, Abdi manages to address a good center and Monfray fails to clear that ball well. On this balloon leave in the open, so it is Guilavogui who tries his luck at six meters but Monfray catches up and retrieves this ball narrowly. Thereafter, the Parisians will continue to throw themselves in attack, a choice which will be fatal to them.

Indeed, on a counter led by Monday, he finds Belmonte which misses the point of break after another stop of the Parisian goalkeeper but once again, it returns in the feet of Grenoble for a second chance. It is therefore Willy Semedo who retrieves this bullet and who, at close range, unleashes a heavy strike to crucify Vincent Demarconnay and take a break. It is therefore a logical victory over the whole meeting for the GF 38 who will have been able to show solidity and opportunism so as not to see the PFC come back to score. From Friday, Grenoble will face the Toulouse FC, 3^th from League 2 during the regular season.

FINISHED !!
We are narwhals and we want to stay that way again looonnnggteeempssss like that !!!! ????⚪️???? (2-0) # GF38TFC pic.twitter.com/fqn2lYC7Yg

– Grenoble Foot 38 (@ GF38_Officiel) May 18, 2021

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