Football: Big fight expected in Dordogne in group G of Regional 3

They were just one point away from Jugeals-Noailles in 2024, and three from Aixe-sur-Vienne last spring. This season, the Sarladais have no intention of missing the boat! "The scenario has been repeating itself for two seasons," complains Camille Durant, the FCSM coach. "Yet last year, we won all eleven of our home games, including an 8-1 victory against Aixe!" To correct the situation, Sarlat-Marcillac has retained the core of its squad and targeted its weaknesses. "We've rejuvenated the squad and strengthened our backline," explains the coach. "Conceding 30 goals, for a team that wants to move up, is too much."

"We must first stop the bleeding."

This year, the main competition could come from the Périgord region. Firstly, because the Dordogne represents half of this Group G. Especially because Thenon-Limeyrat-Fossemagne, the reigning Dordogne champion, is a false promotion, with its XXL recruitment. The Gnaleko brothers, Michel and Ange, joined the club this summer, as did Babacar Sene. "And we have kept our entire squad," says coach Didier Lérisson. "Apart from goalkeeper Tobar-Acosta, who left for Périgueux Foot and was replaced by Dieng, from Boulazac. Despite everything, the objective will first be to ensure a quick relegation and to perpetuate the club at the regional level." The first match on Saturday, against Nontron-Saint-Pardoux, will set the tone.

Nontronnais relegated from R2 and a little more in limbo. The Cutlers were also eliminated in the first round of the Coupe de France, at a D2 Charente. "We self-sabotaged this match," says Kevin Lévèque, one of the coaches. "The summer was a bit chaotic, but everything is starting to get back to normal. However, for the moment, we have no other ambition than to stay up. Because we've been relegated for two consecutive seasons, we first need to stop the bleeding."

Regular troublemakers

For their part, Coteaux Pécharmant and Ribérac are starting to make some moves in R3. And FCCP has made some quality recruitment efforts to maintain its place at the top of the table, or even better. Proof of this is their qualification for the Coupe de France last Sunday, away to Talence (R2, 0-2). CAR, for its part, is once again banking on stability. A recipe that has worked for Gaël Jourdain's men for six years. "We know the season will be tough because some teams are much better equipped than us financially," warns the coach. "But we're not afraid of anyone! There's even a kind of excitement at the idea of ​​playing these derbies and facing new teams, teams we don't know."

The challenge seems even greater for Sanilhac, second to last in their group in 2024-2025 but drafted in mid-July. "We had made a recruitment to play in D1," says Karim Azizou, the new coach who succeeds Didier Praxo. "We will try to make a good impression and leave three teams behind us in the standings." Not impossible, especially with three reserves in the group, but difficult nonetheless.