Valenciennes

[ChristopheVAFC]

Here is the latest news from Valenciennes:

** FRIENDLY MATCHES **

After playing the following friendlies:
- Dunkerque 0-2 VAFC
- VAFC 3-0 FCV Dender

Valenciennes played a third friendly match against the Belgian side RFC Liège.

VA won this third match 4-2.
The match was played in three 30-minute periods.

Scorers:
- Salif LEBOUATH (6')
- Luka BOITEAU (18')
- Célestin NYEMB (33')
- Rayane EKRA (55')

- Goal for Liège (16')
- Goal for Liège (56')

A fourth friendly match is currently underway—again against a Belgian team—at Kortrijk's home ground.

I will share the score here a bit later.

** SUMMER TRANSFERS **

The latest rumors point to a loan deal from Southampton for midfielder Issa TOUNKARA.

And as of this morning, there is a rumor that Valenciennes is in talks with Christopher ROCCHIA, a 28-year-old left-back.

That’s the news for today, folks.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Update on this morning's friendly match against Kortrijk.

It ended in a 1–1 draw.

Kortrijk opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Valenciennes equalized in the 88th minute through Vincent Marcel.

As the match was played behind closed doors and not broadcast, I have no further details.

Schedule for the coming week:

- Sunday, July 19 (tomorrow): Departure for England and Southampton's Staplewood Campus for a five-day training camp running until July 23.

- Wednesday, July 22: Friendly match against Eastleigh FC at Silverlake Stadium.

- Saturday, July 25: Friendly match against the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers) in Valenciennes.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Hello friends, I hope you're doing well.

News from Valenciennes:

** TRAINING CAMP IN SOUTHAMPTON **

Currently at their training camp in Southampton, the players have been alternating between training sessions and team-building activities—including go-karting.

Today, they visited St Mary's Stadium and paid their respects at the Ted statue before the friendly match against Eastleigh at Silverlake Stadium. Kick-off is at 8:45 PM local time.

** SIGNINGS **

A 10th new player arrived yesterday: Christopher Rocchia.

👤 Who is Christopher Rocchia?

Position: Left-back / Left wing-back (1.72m)

Career path: A product of the Olympique de Marseille academy, he made his professional debut in Ligue 1 with the club.

He subsequently had several spells—initially on loan and later via permanent transfers—at Sochaux (L2), Dijon (L2), and more recently at Aubagne and FC Villefranche Beaujolais in the National league.

Playing style: He is a full-back with explosive movement, known for his pace, high work rate along the flank, and attacking contribution.

🎯 Verdict

On paper, this is an excellent market opportunity. Rocchia possesses the athletic and technical qualities to quickly become an undisputed starter and a dynamic force on the left flank. If the medical and coaching staff can help him find consistency and confidence, he has all the makings of a standout performer this season.

That’s all for the news.

Have a great evening, everyone.

[ChristopheVAFC]

Starting XI Eastleigh vs Valenciennes FC

- Derrick Abu start the game tonight

Source https://x.com/DanJHargraves/status/2079993102857629983/photo/1

[ChristopheVAFC]

30' goal for Valenciennes !

MABROUCK ROUAI !

Score: 0-1

[ChristopheVAFC]

Half Time: 0-1 for VA 😎

[ChristopheVAFC]

77' Break for Valenciennes 🔥

Vincent MARCEL.

Score: 0-2 🙂

[ChristopheVAFC]

Full Time: 0-3 for VA.

Scorer 3 goal:

Vincent MARCEL (89')

Allez VA ! ❤️🤍

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, ChristopheVAFC said:

Full Time: 0-3 for VA.

Scorer 3 goal:

Vincent MARCEL (89')

Allez VA ! ❤️🤍

Well done VA!

[spyinthesky]

Better result than achieved by the Saints last Saturday!!

[John Boy Saint]

55 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

Better result than achieved by the Saints last Saturday!!

4 games into pre season compared to the first for us against a team with 3(?) pre season games under their belt 

[Neil]

Looks like VA enjoyed their visit to Hampshire! 

And perhaps building up a head of steam for the new season, a raft of signings, pre-season wins, goals, etc.

Wonder what level their pre-season opponents were at, other than Eastleigh who we know of course.

Christophe - do you have any betting odds for Ligue 3 for this coming season?

[ChristopheVAFC]

4 hours ago, Neil said:

Looks like VA enjoyed their visit to Hampshire! 

And perhaps building up a head of steam for the new season, a raft of signings, pre-season wins, goals, etc.

Wonder what level their pre-season opponents were at, other than Eastleigh who we know of course.

Christophe - do you have any betting odds for Ligue 3 for this coming season?

It's always a pleasure to visit! 😎

I have no doubt that our players benefited from great working conditions over these five days!

I wanted to come along, but budget constraints made it impossible. 😌

So far, the friendlies are going well—no losses, good scores, and the players are starting to gel—though, of course, friendlies don't earn you any league points, haha. 😅

Regarding the level of our pre-season opponents:

** FRIENDLIES PLAYED **

- US Dunkerque (Ligue 2 - France) -> 2-0 Win
- FCV Dender (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 3-0 Win
- RFC Liège (Division 2 - Belgium) -> 4-2 Win
- KV Kortrijk (Division 1 - Belgium) -> 1-1 Draw
- Eastleigh FC (Division 5 - England) -> 3-0 Win

** UPCOMING FRIENDLIES **

- 25/07 vs UNFP (unattached players/free agents)
- 31/07 vs US Boulogne CO (Ligue 2 - France)

** LIGUE 3 LEAGUE FIXTURES **

- 07/08 vs Stade Malherbe Caen (in Normandy)
- 14/08 vs FC Bourg-en-Bresse (Stade du Hainaut)
- 20/08 vs Paris 13 Atletico (in Paris)
- 29/08 vs US Concarneau (in Brittany)

Regarding odds and sports betting: under the old name—"Championnat National"—it wasn't possible to bet on matches in France. However, with the new name (Ligue 3) and the new status (shifting from amateur to professional),

I think it will be possible to bet on Valenciennes matches this season, though nothing is certain just yet. In any case, here in Valenciennes, there is no getting carried away; it is only the very beginning of the season, and while the initial results are positive, we are remaining level-headed.