Soccer. National: how US Concarneau digests its elimination from the Coupe de France

National (11th day). Sedan – US Concarneau, Friday (7:30 p.m.)

The game after. This is how we could call the meeting that US Concarneau will play in Sedan on Friday evening. That after the disappointment experienced in the Coupe de France, Saturday, in Vannes (1-1, 6-5 on penalties). An elimination which, if it does not change absolutely anything to the excellent start of the season of the Thoniers in the championship, has nevertheless come to put a hell of a blow to the morale of the troops. “Inevitably, the weekend and the recovery were hard for everyone, recognizes coach Stéphane Le Mignan. Players are affected by the scenario and, for some, by the repetition of the scenario

. We are less happy, and fortunately: that means that we are totally invested.

And why not use this failure in Morbihan as a booster shot? « The result in Vannes proves that everything is fragile: we have to be almost perfect all along the line if we want to win the matches », insists the coach of the leader of National, who does not forget to remind the media like to his players, that it is “easier to resume in this situation rather than being relegated. We have 21 points in ten games, so it’s very good and that’s what I tell them.

Boutrah, the emotional lift

A de-dramatizing speech which targets in particular players who could feel a sense of guilt after the defeat at La Rabine, « like Amine (Boutrah, author of a shot on the post then a penalty diverted by the opposing goalkeeper), Thibault (Sinquin, who missed the last shot on goal), or the goalkeeper (Maxime Pattier) who does not stop penalties”.

For Boutrah, in particular, the emotional lift was strong, a week after his breathtaking performance against Villefranche (three goals and an assist). “It’s a lot of emotions for him, it’s not the same as the week before, continues Le Mignan. But he is someone who has a very, very strong mind and who is not going to be shaken up by these events. I’m sure he’ll come back. » The sooner the better for US Concarneau.