On Saturday afternoon, TFC completes a ninth match without defeat despite a draw against Reims (0-0). Dominant but lacking offensive firepower, the Toulouse team remains on track for promotion as they prepare to face Thonon Evian at home next Sunday.
Reims 0 – Toulouse 0
Referee: Me Guillot assisted by Mes Lluch and Bouyaiche. REIMS: Bouchard, Vilgrain, Ou Mahi, Maniouloux, Mouzon, Nicot, Battouri, Saidi Muscara, Chamsoudine, Notel, Smits. Warnings: Battouri (81), Vilgrain (90). TFC: Grillon – Sierra, Bogi, Riquelme Jouanin (Perea, 80), Pardon, Atamaniuk (Grinfan, 72), Champagnac (Bironien, 72), Solanet, Marty (Lambert, 89), Altunkulak, Lapassouse. Coach: Antoine Gérard. Warnings: Riquelme Jouanin (8), Bironien (90), Altunkulak (90).
“This match doesn’t tarnish our end of the season. There is some frustration, which is normal given our great run,” said Antoine Gérard’s team after arriving in Reims with eight consecutive victories in their bags. This time, they settled for a draw, but it won’t deter their ambition for promotion.
“The group is fully committed. No doubts arose during this match. We will approach the next match (next Sunday, at home) against Thonon Evian with the same ambition as usual,” added the coach of the Violettes.
“We showed a good performance nonetheless”
In Marne, TFC were clearly dominant. However, for the third time this season in the championship, the Toulouse team finished a game without scoring. Antoine Gérard analyzed, “We faced a team not here to play football, but to secure a point by keeping the ball out of play rather than in. It wasn’t a great spectacle, but we still showed a good performance.”
For the upcoming match against Thonon Evian, there will likely be a sense of revenge in the air as the Violettes suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg. “The first match was tough for us tactically and individually. The real goal for this rematch is to get back to winning ways and erase the memory of that first match,” warned the coach, whose team still leads the standings ahead of Auxerre, who will face Lille on Sunday afternoon.
