The DFCO on the move in Pas-de-Calais, Sunday February 21, 2021, to put your head straight. It’s the 26th day of Ligue 1, against Racing club Lens. After the 2-0 loss conceded at home last weekend against Nîmes, and the fall to last place in the standings, how are morale going? “The week was a bit complicated, we knew it was an important game”, confides the “Parisian Titi” Junior Dina Ebimbe, who evokes “disappointed players, some more than others”, with particular reference to the locker room frames. The midfielder, the third most used player this season, was hit in the foot and will not be on the trip to Lens, like the top scorer, Mama Baldé, and Fred Sammaritano, suspended.
One last hope?
The DFCO is last in Ligue 1, seven points from Nantes, barrage, before the start of this 26th day. The DFCO remains on six consecutive defeats – five in L1, one in the Coupe de France. With 17 goals scored, DFCO is the weakest attack in the championship. DFCO have won just two games this season. The DFCO is 8 points from Nantes, barrage, who drew (1-1) against OM. An avalanche of negative statistics which seem to have destroyed any hope of maintenance for many supporters. However, there are 39 points to be taken. Series to do. Blows to play. You just have to see the “Lorientada” which is underway in Morbihan.
“Today we have 13 games left, we have to focus on the present, there is no point in talking about the future today, says coach David Linarès. The majority of the group is focused on this. All the forces, all the energies must be focused on the present moment “. As for the players, too, we want to continue to believe in it: “The players are not giving up, are continuing to fight. We have nothing to lose. We must play liberated, hammers on his side Junior Dina Ebimbe. I think that if we play more liberated, more relaxed, maybe we will get results “.
Some will see it as a denial of the situation. Others an endless “Coué Method”. Still others will hope for a real desire to revolt, to make lie all the figures, all the trends. – and cut the whistle to the ominous birds which are already sending Dijon to the grounds of Niort and Rodez next year. Technically, the DFCO players are capable of playing well with the ball, they have already proved it – against Lille, against Rennes, against Montpellier, against Lyon, despite unfavorable results. Now it’s playing in the minds.
Mounir Chouiar back home
It is a journey in known land for Mounir Chouiar, who arrived in Lens at the age of 8., club he left in 2019 to join Dijon. The No. 21 had missed the first leg. Injured? Suspended? No, remember, he was kicked out of the group because of a delay. For his first match as coach n ° 1 at the head of the team, David Linarès had decided to do without the services of the prodigy of Liévin. Since the start of 2021 – and the end of the transfer window, with his turpitudes – Mounir Chouiar has raised the bar. Five games played, the last two as a starter. Not yet decisive, but certainly more involved, especially for defensive efforts.
Can a player (should he?) Be galvanized by a match against his former team? David Linarès laughs at this question: “It’s part of the legends, the beliefs of this community. Like that of the guy on whom there is a penalty and that he must not shoot it. It is not an absolute truth, but yes, it can happen”. Hopefully after the match we can have a debate on another football “legend”: should a player refrain from celebrating a goal against his former club?
A legendary stadium … but empty, a successful promotion
For any football fan, setting foot at Stade Bollaert is a dream. Discover one of the most beautiful atmospheres of the championship, with the song “Les Corons” by Pierre Bachelet sung in unison by more than 30,000 voices. Unfortunately, with the sanitary restrictions and the closed door, it will ring empty on Sunday. “It is one of those stadiums where I loved playing as a player, I would have liked to know this atmosphere by being on the bench, regrets former OL player David Linarès. It’s a city, a region that breathes football, with very, very good values. It’s a fervor that necessarily touches us when we are footballers, when we are passionate about this game.“.
Still, even without its audience, the promoted Lensois has a good season, placing 6th before the start of the day. Hope for Dijon? The “Blood and Gold” have a harder time at home, where they haven’t won since December.
Match to be followed in full, with radio commentary on France Bleu Bourgogne. See you at 2:45 p.m. for the pre-game!
–
