Chartres - Paris preview: Get right back on track

Avant-match

On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball travel to Chartres for Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 22, with the aim of getting back on track. Find out everything you need to know about this fixture that could prove decisive in the race for the title.

Two very different battles

While Paris reclaimed their throne as leaders last month, Chartres are struggling: with six defeats in their last seven matches, Nebojsa Stojinovic's men are dangerously close to the relegation zone. Although they have not had a favourable schedule in recent weeks (away to Nantes and Toulouse, at home to Limoges), Chartres are looking over their shoulders, as they are now only four points ahead of Cesson-Rennes, the first team in danger of relegation.

‘Don't let any doubt creep in.’ That could be Raul Gonzalez's mantra for his men before this tricky away game. A few days after the defeat at Coubertin against Szeged in the EHF Champions League play-offs (25-35), the capital club must overcome its disappointment and get back on track. Because, although our Les Rouge et Bleu are three points ahead of Nantes, there is no room for doubt. All the more so as our Parisians have another crucial fixture three days later in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France against Chambéry. However, we must not forget the capital club's good form on the domestic scene, as they are on a run of five consecutive wins.

An unprecedented trip

On Sunday, our Parisians will travel to the Colisée, a new sports arena inaugurated in April 2024. With a capacity of nearly 4,000 seats, the arena is part of the modernisation and development project of C'Chartres Métropole Handball. The Parisians will therefore be playing on unfamiliar ground, but the advantage of this new setting does not seem to be striking for Nebojsa Stojinovic's men. With defeats in their first six outings at the new arena, Chartres had to wait until October to break the curse and record their first home win, against Chambéry (30-28). Since then, the record has been more even, with three wins and four defeats, although those reverses were against much more in-form teams (Toulouse, Nîmes, Montpellier, Limoges).

Opposition strengths

Although in great difficulty in recent weeks, Chartres have several elements capable of causing problems for the capital club, particularly in defence. Starting with Milan Bomastar, who is keeping goal with an iron fist. Only Joze Baznik (Aix) has made more saves than the Serbian goalkeeper's 228 so far. At left-back, young Yvan Vérin is gaining in strength despite a lack of consistency that can sometimes bring its share of frustration, as in his difficult match against Aix last week (no goals from six attempts). In attack, Gaël Tribillon is the main offensive threat with 90 goals scored so far. On his left wing, the former Toulouse player will certainly be one to watch closely. On the other side, former Parisian Valentin Bzdynga could steal a few minutes, although Svetlin Dimitrov seems to have the advantage in the hierarchy.

Key stats

  • On Sunday, Paris and Chartres will face each other for the 13th time in their history. So far, the capital club has shown no mercy against the team from Eure-et-Loir, having won their previous twelve duels.
  • Last season, Jacob Holm scored nine goals as Raul Gonzalez's men hammered Chartres at Coubertin (44-30) - his personal best in a league clash for the Parisians.
  • 44. Chartres have conceded 44 two-minute exclusions this season after 21 matchdays - that's an average of 2.10 per game. No other Liqui Moly StarLigue team has done worse in this area this season.
  • With 17 saves against Chartres at the Halle Jean-Cochet last season, Andreas Palicka also notched a personal best for Les Rouge et Bleu.
  • 228. Milan Bomastar has already made 228 saves this season in the Liqui Moly StarLigue. Only Joze Baznik (Aix, 248 saves) has done better after 21 matchdays.
  • 4. Luc Steins is only four goals away from reaching the 400-goal mark in the Liqui Moly StarLigue with the Parisian club.

Liqui Moly StarLigue Matchday 22 fixtures

Friday 4 April

20:00: Chambéry - Pays d'Aix

20:00: Ivry - Istres

20:00: Saint-Raphaël - Montpellier

20:30: Créteil - Dunkerque

Saturday 5 April

20:00: Tremblay - Limoges

20:30: Cesson Rennes - Nîmes

Sunday 6 April

16:00: Chartres - Paris, broadcast on beIN SPORTS 3 and to be followed on our live-tweet.

19:00: Nantes - Toulouse

(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)