TOPS
A finger raised, like the number of shots on goal he had then conceded after four Monegasque attempts. Brice Samba almost became the hero of RC Lens, who came from behind before breaking down after normal time against AS Monaco (2-2, 5-6 tab). The goalkeeper and captain of the Sang et Or got into the head of the Asemists, repelling strikes from Youssouf Fofana, Vanderson and Myron Boadu. In reality, he was only delaying the deadline. The public of a melting Félix-Bollaert stadium will not forget the one who offered them unbearable suspense and a great penalty shootout. This is also why we love the Coupe de France.
Full sun in Lyon for a month. After its three consecutive victories in Ligue 1 before the break, OL passed the obstacle of CA Pontarlier, a National 3 club (0-3), without any problem. At the Léo-Lagrange stadium in Besançon, Pierre Sage’s players were reassured just before half-time thanks to Rayan Cherki (45th), who had been denied a goal for an unclear offside a few minutes earlier. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (52nd) and Alexandre Lacazette (56th) killed any suspense after the break.
At only 18 years old, Will Still chose to launch his gem during their first Coupe de France match, and it worked! The young Frenchman had already tasted high-level football 4 times this season when he came into play (against Clermont, Brest, Monaco and Paris). This Sunday, Mamadou Diakhon honored his first start with the professional group by scoring a double! Regularly selected with the French youth teams, the Reims winger will surely be one to watch for this year 2024.
FLOPS
At the Saint-Symphorien stadium in Metz, the trap was clear. Olympique de Marseille, winner of Thionville Lusitanos (0-1), avoided it. But not with the manner. It was not until an inspired pass from Jordan Veretout and the composure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for OM to take cover (62nd). The opportunities were nonetheless rare, at least compared to the overall domination of the Phocaeans and the footballing gap between them and their National 3 opponents. Gennaro Gattuso was entitled to expect better from his troops.
We know that penalties are rarely appreciated by French clubs but all the same, 7 missed in a single session is a good score! Fortunately these misses are also synonymous with saves from Brice Samba (3) and Radoslaw Majecki (2), but there are many poorly shot attempts. Youssouf Fofana lacked vitamin at the time of his strike, while Fulgini put too much and sent the ball into Bollaert’s stands, not to mention Saïd’s shot at the ideal height for a goalkeeper, nor that of Medina which smashed the transverse. We’ll put it back to the good performances of Samba and Majecki, but it’s not very brilliant…
