This time last year, Jura-Sud missed a fantastic opportunity to reach the Coupe de France’s round of 16 for the first time in the club’s history, when they were beaten on the road by fifth tier Sete, despite playing one division above their rivals. One year later, the men from Lavans-les-Saint-Claude are given a second chance, this time in their home stadium but against a much tougher opposition: AJ Auxerre.
Sure, Auxerre isn’t the team it was in the nineties and early noughties, and the club’s performances in Ligue 2 suggest that they might still remain away from the elite of French football for a little while yet. But the club from Burgundy nevertheless remains one of the giants of the Coupe de France, with four final victories, the latest only ten years ago in 2005. And so far, Auxerre have had a rather clean run in this year’s competition, with three straight victories against lower league opposition, eight goals scored and no goal conceded. And, even though third-tier Strasbourg very nearly took Jean-Luc Vannuchi’s men into extra-time when a last minute penalty from Lienard crashed off Lembet’s crossbar, Auxerre mean business and Jura-Sud could very easily be considered as an easy obstacle to overcome on their way to the round of 16.
Football isn’t played on reputation and stats however, and Jura-Sud, in their stadium of Moirans, will await their opponent eagerly, knowing that they are only ninety minutes away from writing history for their club, and for the whole departement of Jura. In their six matches in the competition so far, Jura-Sud have always won by a margin of two goals or more, and Pascal Moulin’s men will be willing to display their attacking potential once again this week, as well as to show that they can punch above their weight, having only faced teams playing either at the same level as them or in lower leagues so far.
In order to make it past their Ligue 2 opponents, Jura-Sud will hope for more genius inspiration from former Grenoble striker Marius M’Baiam, who scored two goals, including this stunning strike, against Saint-Louis Neuweg. Auxerre, meanwhile, would certainly not mind a repeat of Vincent Gragnic’s splendid free-kick against Strasbourg, in order to see off their fourth-division opponents.
So, will the “Magie de la Coupe” strike the east of France? Will AJ Auxerre show once again why they are considered one of France’s best ever cup teams? Answer this Tuesday from 7:00 pm.