Dijon FCO and its goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi will play in Ligue 2 next season. – Philippe DESMAZES / AFP
“This season, we don’t deserve much”. Words are harsh. President of Dijon Football Côte d’Or, Olivier Delcourt was perfectly lucid when he pronounced them, a few hours from yet another defeat. His club was not yet officially relegated but his fate seemed already sealed.
This Sunday, the Burgundy team did not manage to postpone the deadline. By losing heavily 5-1 to Stade Rennais, David Linarès’ men said goodbye to Ligue 1. With 13 points behind Nîmes and Nantes, the DFCO is officially relegated to Ligue 2 after five consecutive seasons in the elite.
The news was expected and no one really believed it anymore. With 18 points in 33 games and only three victories this season, the Dijonnais have hardly ever left 20th place since the 4th day. The Burgundians had yet opened the scoring on the penalty spot after a ball from the former Dijon goalkeeper Gomis but quickly saw the Bretons come back on a strike from Martin Terrier. Better organized in the second half, David Linarès’ men nevertheless sank late in the match by conceding four goals.
A sad record equaled
The victory won against Nice last week only pushed back the deadline. Imagine the ordeal. Before this unexpected success against the Aiglons, the Burgundians had not won since December 23. An incredible series of 12 consecutive defeats which had allowed the DFCO to equal the record held since 1933-34 by CA Paris. “More than a lack of character, I rather noted a lack of professionalism. It is wearing out on a daily basis for managers, coaches or employees, ”regretted the president, who arrived at the club five years ago. Olivier Delcourt hopes to see his foal recover “within three years”.
Well here it is, we are in Ligue 2 thank you @DFCO_Officiel for the 5 years in Ligue 1 we still had good times. We will always be behind you. Go Dijon
– Chouette Fc 🦉🔴⚫ (@ Dijonnaisdu21) April 25, 2021
“We weren’t making the effort together, it wasn’t coordinated or structured, and it took a long time to get into it,” experienced defender Bruno Ecuele Manga recently declared. We think back in particular to the huge ball of goalkeeper Anthony Racioppi, who had hurt Dijon very badly during a match “at the top” against FC Lorient. The former Lyonnais had been transferred to compensate for the departures of Alfred Gomis in Rennes and Runar Alex Runarrson at Arsenal. Sometimes solid but too irregular performances which had pushed his coach to promote Saturnin Allagbé to the position of goalkeeper number 1.