Villefontaine Aims for an Upset Against GF38, the Childhood Club of Malo Gusto

Every season, the Coupe de France is marked by the remarkable performances of underdog teams. While some may be lesser-known, they carve their names into history with thrilling journeys that resonate with their cities and sometimes even the entire nation. Last season, Bourgoin-Jallieu captured the hearts of France with a stunning upset. In a memorable late afternoon at the Pierre-Rajon Stadium, FCBJ eliminated OL in an unforgettable clash. Although their adventure ended frustratingly in the round of 16 against Reims, the achievements of Mehdi Moujetzky and his team remain legendary.

Villefontaine Aims to Follow in Bourgoin-Jallieu’s Footsteps

Memories of that historic run are still vivid in Isère. This season, a small team from Régional 2 is eager to follow in their neighbor’s footsteps. Located just eleven kilometers from Bourgoin, Villefontaine is gearing up for their seventh-round Coupe de France match. They face a challenging opponent in the form of Grenoble Foot 38. This household name will be a significant moment for the humble club, which previously defeated Villefranche from the National league two rounds ago. In their last Coupe de France match, Olympique de Villefontaine struggled against Meythet, a D3 team, ultimately winning only after penalties.

Now, as they prepare for a tough seventh round, Villefontaine dares to dream of a fairytale run. Originally formed from a recent merger, this team has never progressed beyond the seventh round in its brief history and has never faced a challenge greater than League 2 opposition. With determination, they aim high this year. Key to their success will be Lounis Arroudj, who has made an impressive start to the season. Having spent years in the youth teams of OL, he has emerged as a formidable threat. Close friend of Mehdi Moujetzky, who now plays for QRM, Arroudj shared, “We talk often. He gave me some advice and mentioned that an upset is definitely possible.”

However, friendly advice alone isn’t enough; tangible efforts are essential to overcome a team five divisions above them. “The key will be to play our game without holding back,” says Villefontaine’s playmaker. “We need to ignore the pressure. We aren’t thinking about making history; we only want to win this match.” Coach Kevin Ayache emphasized the importance of solid defense: “We won’t win 4-0 against a League 2 side. If we are to win, it might be through penalties. We’ll work to be as strong as possible and keep our chances alive. We take it one match at a time. After defeating an R1 team and a National side, we are looking for more upsets. The challenge is higher, but we have to believe we can do it. Bourgoin serves as motivation; they are a benchmark in the region and had an impressive run. It inspires us to aim for the same this year.”

A Special Isère Derby for Malo Gusto’s Childhood Club

This Friday at 8 PM IST, the match will be closely watched. While rain is not expected in this border region by the Rhône, Chantereine Stadium will definitely be packed to support the little club. “It’s an Isère derby against the best in the region. It’s a match the whole area looks forward to,” confirms Ayache. Will the crowd’s enthusiasm weigh on them? On the contrary, for Lounis Arroudj, it’s a source of additional motivation: “The whole town is rallying for the event, just as they did against Chambéry and Villefranche. It’s a football-loving town that gives us strength; we must do this for them. I don’t really feel the pressure; I just want to play my game.”

To play their game and disrupt the opponent’s plans is the goal. Villefontaine knows they’ll need to perform at their best while hoping that Grenoble falters. “We’ve taken the time to watch film and analyze,” explains Kevin Ayache. “They are a League 2 team, and we need to see if we can genuinely compete. They are a complete, solid side that relies heavily on crossing. We’ll need to capitalize on counters. Our focus will be to extend the match as much as possible, ensuring it’s a tight contest. That’s our objective.” This match promises to be exciting, starting at 8 PM IST this Friday, and will likely catch the attention of Malo Gusto. Currently with the national team, Gusto, who has been described as “very supportive” and “attached” to his hometown club, is expected to watch from Clairefontaine.