The TFC players are dominating their championship with an eleven-point lead. Serious and patient, they continue to rack up victories without getting carried away, driven by the best attack and defense in the division.
“We really take each game one at a time. That’s what allows us not to fall into complacency,” said Pauline Pardon, TFC right back. Despite having an eleven-point lead over Auxerre (2nd), Antoine Gérard’s team has every reason to become overconfident with promotion within reach. However, that’s not their style. “Obviously, we have this goal of promotion in mind. However, each week, we only focus on the weekend match. Among ourselves, the players, we don’t think too far ahead to the end of the season. We are on a good winning streak. We want to extend it by adding another success to our journey,” continues Pauline Pardon.
After victories against Rodez (5-1), Lille (0-2), Grenoble (2-1), Auxerre (1-2), Nice (2-0), Guingamp (1-4), Metz (2-0), and Saint-Malo (2-0), the Toulousian players will aim for three more points tomorrow afternoon (5 pm) against Stade de Reims (9th). In their previous encounter in early November, they won 3-0.
“We have become more patient,” says Pauline Pardon after sixteen matches played. “It’s undeniable. Overall, opposing teams do not press us high. Therefore, we like having the ball, which also means less hurry.”
The defender also provides another source of motivation: “With our position in the standings, we know that other teams want to beat us even more. But in the end, we use that to maintain this conquering mindset on the field.” On the stats side, Antoine Gérard’s team still has the best attack (37 goals) and the best defense (11 goals) in the championship.
After their trip to Marne, the Toulousians will have five more matches to play. The next one, scheduled for April 5 at home against Thonon Evian, will have a hint of revenge: the last defeat for the Violettes came in the previous match (2-0).
