There are dates that matter more than any other. In the history of Mans FC, we will long remember this June 2, 2019, this scissors of Mamadou Soro at the end of the end synonymous with the return of the Sarthois club in Ligue 2. Happiness. A lot of joy. Before, a year later, face the sadness of seeing Le Mans FC fall back into National, after an unprecedented season. Prematurely stopped on March 13, 2020, due to the Covid-19, the football season never finally resumed. Unable to complete it, it was necessary to wait for the decisions of the various authorities to find out how it would end. Le Mans FC, 19th at the end of the championship, still had a tiny hope of maintaining itself after the vote of the LFP general assembly, to expand Ligue 2 to 22 clubs. But, the Comex of the FFF, meeting this Wednesday, May 27, 2020, decided otherwise.
Back in 10 games on this reunion in Ligue 2, thwarted by the Covid-19. Ten, like the number of days that will remain unplayed this season.
1. July 27, 2019, Le Mans – Lens: the return
It was, THE most awaited match of the summer by all supporters of Le Mans. A prestigious adversary, an MMArena overwhelms – 17,732 spectators – difficult to dream of better as the first poster, for a return to Ligue 2. As much as on the field, Le Mans FC did not hide. Richard Déziré’s players continued to produce the game, as they know how to do, and were even lucky enough to open the counter through Moussiti-Oko. Except that the promoted Sarthois did not last the distance against the northern favorite (1-2). Le Mans paid cash for its little mistakes but showed a good face. A scenario which, in the end, will be repeated several times this season. Despite a warning from Richard Déziré at the time: “We will have to be more efficient. I cannot be satisfied with the congratulations of the jury. “
2. August 13, 2019, Lorient – Le Mans: the first victory
Mid-August, the future champion of Ligue 2, largely overhauled, was released from the 1st round of the League Cup by Le Mans FC (1-2). A first victory for the Sarthois, in the shoes of a professional club, but it was not “Neither a release nor a relief” pointed out Richard Déziré. Since at that time, the club was still stuck at the bottom of the L2 standings, with 0 points. Le Mans had opened its counter to won matches and could hope to see better days. But the wait was still going to be long.
3. August 30, 2019, Le Mans FC – Sochaux: the first points
It has been over a month since Le Mans has been chasing a first championship success. Lots of encouragement, beautiful emphasis, but nothing materialized in accounting. Faced with their home crowd, with a Youssef Maziz in great shape (scorer and goal), the Sarthois club crossed its first match without a hitch and signed his first victory in Ligue 2 (2-0). And, although in the game it may not have been Le Mans’s most successful match, “This victory validates the work done since the start of the season, to keep going”, emphasized coach Déziré.
4. September 30, 2019, Guingamp – Le Mans FC: the cold shower
After unlocking the counter against Sochaux, Le Mans was unable to continue. And, this Monday, September 30 in Guingamp, Le Manceaux suffered yet another defeat. Drastically beaten 3-0 by the Bretons, gross individual errors, one wondered then if the Sarthois club had the level Ligue 2. “We are still putting ourselves in the position of the team which must run after the score”, regretted Déziré. 21 goals conceded after 9 games, only Wasquehal (1997-1998, 22 goals) had done worse in the last 25 years, the place of Richard Déziré was increasingly in danger. A sort of ultimatum that will have made its way, Le Mans was resumed in the next match by winning, at home, against Chambly. And by proving on the ground that he was not at an impasse.
5. October 25. Le Mans – Niort: the start of a perfect week
Qualified for the 16th round of the League Cup, its interlude when the championship victories were not there, Le Mans FC would chain three matches in eight days. A long week that started in the best possible way, with a 1-0 victory, against a direct competitor in the maintenance. Far from being the most beautiful, this goal from Guessouma Fofana’s toe kick, on an error by the Niort goalkeeper, was the symbol of a self-sacrificing Le Mans team. A victory that allowed to temporarily leave the red zone and take the position of barrage. “I think that on this match, we crossed a course in mutual confidence, noted Guessouma Fofana. Now you have to be consistent in your effort. “
“We need to make a series, to see this team evolve with less pressure related to the classification”added Richard Déziré. A wish fulfilled. Five days later, Le Mans had a nice 3-2 win over Nice in a crazy start to the game. Then, the Sarthois continued in the championship with a first success outside, in Clermont. In the end, a series of five games without defeat and a clearing in the standings.
6. Paris FC – Le Mans FC: a breath of fresh air
Apart from the misstep against Orleans (2-3), while the Sarthois had the match in hand, facing direct opponents for the maintenance Le Mans FC did the job. This was once again the case at Charléty, facing Paris FC. After the eighth finals of the League Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, where the defeat was logical (1-4), but the celebration was beautiful with a new attendance record, Le Mans FC offered itself as a Christmas present a warm place. In a rough first half match and a soporific streak, Richard Déziré’s men were able to accelerate at the end of the game to finish in a rush this year 2019 (0-3). A great success at the finish and a beautiful 15th place in the ranking. What to spend the winter break more serenely. “15th in the ranking, 20 points. I won’t say it’s unexpected but it’s a great performance. We have every reason to be happy. This allows us to stay in the nails of what we want to do: leave three behind us after the 38th day “Summarized Richard Déziré.
7. January 10, 2020, Le Mans – Auxerre: a very difficult start to 2020
At the beginning of 2020, Le Mans FC crossed a new black hole. A defeat in Bordeaux in the Coupe de France, then, too technically poor, the Sarthois have too rarely been able to put their adversaries in difficulty. Like this first game of the return phase against Auxerre (0-1). “We have no margin”repeated Richard Déziré, although Le Mans still kept its distance from the red zone. But not for long, because the collective inconstancy of Le Mans FC would resurface, like the start of the season.
8. February 23, 2020, the ouster of Richard Déziré
The second breath of Mans FC is struggling to arrive. After seven matches without league victories (5 defeats and 2 draws), the Sang et Or coach, author of the three successive climbs, is thanked when returning from a trip to Ajaccio. The end of an era, and most importantly, the urgency of storing points to save, brought to light. “Following Ajaccio’s game, I felt that I needed to breathe new life into the game and put the players more face to face with their responsibilities. The decision was not easy to make, both in terms of what I have been able to live with the coach for more than three seasons, our relationships but also because choosing a new coach is always a complicated choice. There are now 12 games and 36 points to take to reach this goal. [le maintien] “, expressed Thierry Gomez, the president of the club.
9. February 28, Le Mans – Guingamp: a winning interim
After the departure of Richard Déziré, Stéphane Pichot took over for the duration of one match. In front of Guingamp, an electric shock was hoped. By winning 2-1, thanks to a double from Abu Kanté, and a solid mastery of the end of the match, Le Mans relaunched itself ideally in the quest for maintenance. “It’s been a long time since we won, we didn’t sing in the locker room, it gives a little air. Now, we’re not going to ignite, it’s a victory and it will take others to save ourselves ”, wisely summed up Captain Pierre Lemonnier. Le Mans returned to victory with a touch of relief, envy and optimism. The formalization of the arrival of Réginald Ray in stride, allowed the club to quickly address the following.
10. March 6, 2020, Chambly – Le Mans: a missed opportunity…
After a start to the return phase, not frankly more prolific, Le Mans entered the last quarter of the championship, facing direct opponents for maintenance. But. With yes, we remake the world. Nevertheless, this match against Chambly can leave regrets. In the physiognomy of the match. 2-0 at halftime, in numerical superiority, the Sarthois were on the right track. Niort and Paris FC kept in check at the same time, a victory suggested a 17th place. However, the Le Mans club scuttled. He lost the thread in front of Camblysiens who, them, did not give up anything, and believed in it. A 2-2 draw, in a closed game. For his first on the Sarth bench Réginald Ray is not beaten, in the Le Mans classification is not dropped either, except that he is still 19th, tied with Niort the barragiste but with an unfavorable goal-average for four small goals.
And, the Covid-19 signed the end of the championship, by prematurely returning Le Mans FC to National. A season made of highs and lows, to the end. And, a huge frustration for the actors of Le Mans FC not to have been able to defend their chances on the field, until the 38th day. A season like no other, which will also mark the history of the club which will celebrate on June 12 the 35th anniversary of its foundation!
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