A connoisseur of the National, Karim Mokeddem, the Stade Briochin coach, made USL Dunkerque his favorite for the climb, just ahead of US Concarneau, Red Star and Martigues.
What is your favorite for the climb?
The team that made the strongest impression on me was Dunkirk (victorious 3-0 against Stade Briochin at Fred-Aubert on March 10). This team exudes a lot of power. She is also on an incredible dynamic: six victories in the last six days. And then, we are talking about a club that has everything to find Ligue 2, whether it is its stadium or its budget. My second favorite is Concarneau. Psychologically, the fact of having recovered these two points on green carpet (to the detriment of Nancy) will give them a boost. Thanks to this, they have their destiny between their feet.
In terms of game, you have often praised that of Concarneau…
In fact, I really liked Concarneau in the first leg (1-2, October 12) and Dunkirk in the second leg. Dunkirk is a real transition team. Concarneau is good in possession but where they hurt the most is in transition. But I’m waiting to see the next two days. If the Red Star is a full house, he will also fight until the end.
Isn’t it a disappointment to see this Red Star slightly behind?
They offered great things, interesting content, they really have a great workforce, I don’t think they’ve said their last word. Their game is quite direct but they have really good players. They picked up Ifnaoui (who arrived in mid-February from Racing Club de France). There are also Durand, Macalou, Ikanga…
Can FC Martigues, promoted to this level, create a surprise?
I have lots of friends there and this would be my favorite. Foued Kadir is currently suspended, but he has a very big impact on their game. Anyway, it will be open until the end. I see Dunkirk champion. Afterwards, there is still a place for three because I leave Versailles a bit out of the lot.
Why do you place Versailles a notch below?
I look at the dynamics and theirs is not good (one defeat and three draws – including the last very happy Friday in Saint-Brieuc – during the last four days). And then the other four have much larger offensive strike forces. In the middle, they have very good players but as soon as we get to the top, it’s more complicated. The departure of Djoko (for SC Bastia, at the end of December) hurt them.
The rise in Ligue 2 is still hotly contested, but isn’t the height of National’s budgets unprecedented?
It is clear that it has nothing to do with what was done before. When I hear budgets of €8 or 10 million, salaries of €30 or 40,000, I say to myself: “So much the better for them!” ” (smile). Among the clubs with big budgets, there is Red Star and Versailles but also Châteauroux, Nancy and Le Mans which should not be forgotten. That’s why seeing Martigues or Concarneau go up would be a nice wink. In football, money is not everything.
We have mentioned the five teams in the race for Ligue 2. What are your biggest disappointments among those who are not there?
I thought Chateauroux was going to join in the fight. Among the major absentees, I would mention Nancy, even if we know very well that it is difficult when you come down from Ligue 2. But next year, these formations will be ready. There will be no soft stomach, everyone will play the climb or the maintenance because they will have learned from this season. Many will build large cars, including promoted like Fleury or Rouen.
