US Orléans wants to continue its rise in Annecy
11 points difference with the third and 12 games to play. To maintain the tiny hope of accessing the Ligue 2 accession play-offs, US Orléans will have to lifts mountains. That’s good, the band of Xavier Collin moves this Monday, February 28 in Haute-Savoie. Perilous confrontation with the FC Annecy, fourth (with one match less), declared candidate for the podium and still unbeaten at home. The Orleans, ninth and who remain in a 0-0 draw against Stade Briochin will have to hang on to maintain their good series: seven consecutive games without defeat.
As if the task were not difficult enough, the Loiretans have to deal with the suspension of their master to play, Hicham Benkaid, the club’s top scorer and assistor this season (five goals and four assists). The duration of the unavailability of the Alsatian is not yet known, but it Should be at least two gamesafter son direct red card received against Saint-Brieuc. Unsurprisingly, the Orleans free spirit should be replaced by Ibrahim Sangaré to complete the attacking duo with Esteban Lepaul.
Jimmy Halby-Touré uncertain
Xavier Collin has called up 17 players for the trip to Haute-Savoie. Jimmy Halby-Touré is part of the trip, but the defender was doubtful this Sunday and did not train with the group. In case of absence, the piston position could be occupied by Loïc Goujon, who had already acted in the interim in the win over Red Star. The midfielder was also presented there this Sunday morning during the pre-match set-up.
If this option is chosen, Ismaël Sangaré, Fred Dembi and Liamine Mokdad will start the game in midfield. The last being named a notch higher, in support of the attackers, as against Saint-Brieuc or the Red Star.
Three goals conceded in 10 home games for Annecy
So should we respond to this meeting as US Orléans did in Concarneau, by being strong defensively and clinical offensively to carry out the hold-up? Not according to Florian Lapiswho Should find a starting place on the left wing: “It’s a different approach, Annecy doesn’t have the same style of play and extends more on the counter than Concarneau“. His coach, Xavier Collin, sees this meeting as “a great challenge against an extremely successful team at home, with only three goals conceded in ten games at home”. FC Annecy, on the other hand, remains on a heavy 3-0 defeat at Red Star.
In the first leg, the USO and Annecy parted ways in a 2-2 draw. The Orleans, led 2-0 after a quarter of an hour of play, managed to come back to the score thanks to Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Saint-Ruf.
Annecy – USO live on France Bleu Orléans from 8:00 p.m.
FC Annecy – US Orleans, it’s to live live and in full at 8:45 p.m. this Monday on France Bleu Orléans and francebleu.fr, with thepre-game and the prediction contest from 8:00 p.m. since Annecy Sports Park.