Dominating is not winning. Paris FC unfortunately learned this the hard way this Tuesday evening in Rodez during the 34th day of L2. Despite territorial domination and a host of opportunities, Stéphane Gilli’s men lost (1-0) to one of their direct competitors for the L1 accession play-offs. They also lost this invincibility on the road of 12 matches (6 wins and 6 draws) which dates back 7 months and a setback at AC Ajaccio (2-1). This triptych against the leader of the L2 (reception of Angers this Saturday then trip to Auxerre the following Saturday) is therefore a bad start to this money-time even if nothing is lost.
Despite the absences of their captain Cyril Mandouki, Samir Chergui (suspended), Alimani Gory and Pierre-Yves Hamel (injured), the Parisians nevertheless show themselves determined and make an excellent start by outrageously dominating this Ruthenian team which has never known defeat. only once in the last 10 matches. Marchetti (18th) then Jabbari (19th) barely missed finding the target. It was then the turn of goalkeeper Jaouen, well supported by Haag on his line, to work a miracle by pulling out Jebbari’s head (32nd). Rodez bends but does not break.
Better still, the Aveyron team found the fault at the end of the first act. Sylla recovers the ball on the right flank then dribbles past Gaudin before seeing his cross blocked in his own net by Timothée Kolodziejczak, Parisian captain for one evening (1-0, 36th). In the process, Hountondji forces Nkambadio into a nice save (45th).
Returning from the locker room, Marchetti leads the revolt. He escapes the opposing defense but his attempt is repelled by Jaouen (56th). On the following action, Mbow’s recovery was deflected by a Rodez defender on his line. Andréas Hountondji alone in front of Nkambadio (63rd) then Lipinski (84th), ideally placed, then miss the break point.
The PFC pushes but fails due to clumsiness in the penultimate gesture at the end of the match. The capital club concedes its second setback in 2024 after that against Dunkirk (1-2) last January. He leaves his 4th place in the ranking in favor of his evening opponent to go down a notch (5th and still a jump-off). 3rd place (first jump-off currently held by Saint-Étienne) now seems illusory. The Parisians will have to aim for 4th place over the last 4 days to play the first match of the L1 promotion play-offs at home. “We have to open the score in the first half because we had several situations,” breathes Stéphane Gilli. Overall, I’m disappointed and frustrated, but that’s football. I don’t have much to criticize my players apart from a little accuracy in the two zones of truth. We will try to recover the points lost here against Angers on Saturday. »
The match sheet:
RODEZ – PARIS FC: 1-0 (1-0). Spectators: 3000. Referee: M. Bouille.
But. Kolodziejczak (36e, csc) ;
Warning. Rodez: Younoussa (40th).
Paris FC : Nkambadio – Dabila, Mbow, Kolodziejczak (cap.), Gaudin (Ollila, 88th), Doucet (Lukembila, 82nd), Camara, Marchetti (Lasne, 73rd), Kebbal (Lopez, 73rd), Jabbari. Entr : . Clay.
