A radiant start for Annecy
The FC Annecy has started its season in Ligue 2 with two wins, a first since 1988. A third consecutive win would be completely historic. "We have been faithful to what we know how to do. I appreciated the solidity shown and the mental investment of the players in the image of the first match. That's what pleased me the most. But we know that it's the hardest to maintain because human nature pushes people to relax when things are going very well. We must be vigilant," recalls coach Laurent Guyot.
The opponent: Reims with Paris but without Demoncy?
The Rémois are among the declared candidates for promotion to Ligue 1 but, after two games, they have not yet won. After a draw against Clermont (0-0), the Champenois were again held back by Dunkerque, taken on the wire while they were leading 3-1 (3-3), not helped by the expulsion of defender Armel Zohouri, suspended on Monday, at the approach of the last quarter of an hour. For their second consecutive home match, the men of Nicolas Usaï will be driven by the desire to unlock their counter before going to Red Star on Saturday (14 h).
The phrase: "I was almost there"
Florian Escales, goalkeeper of FC Annecy, who has not taken a goal in the first two games: "It's important for me. My goal is to take the fewest goals possible, fewer than last year and the year before. We must continue. We had a bit of success at Pau (1-0 win) with the bar and the post even if I was almost there (laughs). I was decisive too against Rodez, it's a good start of the season."
The number: 100
In case of a win at Reims, FC Annecy will sign the 100th win in its history in Ligue 2, spread over two periods (1988-1993 then 2022-2027) and nine seasons. The FCA has so far won 54 in "the Guyot era". "There are always motivators before a match, obviously we'll talk about it, explains Guyot. I hope we'll have this hundredth win this season, smiling. The sooner the better. If it's at Reims, we'll be very happy."
The squad: Billemaz returns, a first with the pros for Secretant
FC Annecy will have to compose on Monday and for a large part of the season without its central defender François Lajugie, victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the knee against Rodez last week. Guyot will find his versatile midfielder Clément Billemaz, back from suspension, while Ben Hamed Touré also returns after a truncated preparation, injured in the knee. Note also the arrival for the first time in the pro group of the young Gabin Secretant.
