Maxence Fournel looks back at his Espaly spell and eyes new season with Alès
Forward Maxence Fournel of Olympique d'Alès en Cévennes reflects on his time with Espaly-Saint-Marcel, the 16th-round cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain, and his upcoming league assignment against Espaly this weekend.
Key takeaways
- Maxence Fournel, attacker for Olympique d'Alès en Cévennes, reflects on his time at Espaly-Saint-Marcel before Alès’ trip to Espaly on Saturday October 17, 2026.
- Fournel took part in a 16th-round match against Paris Saint-Germain during the 2024-2025 season and witnessed Espaly's relegation to Régional 1 that same year.
- In his first season at Alès (summer 2025), Fournel scored 10 goals, provided 5 assists and played 25 of 26 matches.
- Fournel believes Espaly had the best attack in its group and that a points deduction prevented promotion to National 1.
Maxence Fournel, attacker for Olympique d'Alès en Cévennes, discussed his journey with Espaly-Saint-Marcel (season 2024-2025) and the memory of the 16th of finals against Paris Saint-Germain, as his team prepares to travel to the Viouzou stadium to face Espaly this weekend, Saturday October 17, 2026.
From the 16th of finals against Paris Saint-Germain to the regret of relegation
Fournel recalls a contrasting period at Espaly: the media buzz leading up to the 16th of finals against Paris Saint-Germain, followed by the sporting downfall that ended in relegation to Régional 1. He describes those months as “very high” and then “very low,” and confides that after such a strong match against the capital club he felt bitterness at the club’s relegation.
A fresh start at Alès and encouraging personal figures
Arrived in the summer of 2025 at Olympique d'Alès en Cévennes, Fournel explains that he chose to change region to restart his career, citing the club’s structured nature and its ambitions at the top of the table. He presents a personal statistical record of his first season at Alès: 10 goals, 5 assists, and participation in 25 of 26 matches, which he says demonstrates a regular contribution and solid individual form.
Espaly, a return and reasons for pride
Ahead of the trip to the Viouzou stadium, Fournel says he goes with the intention of owning his past at Espaly and hopes to have left a positive impression despite his demanding and sometimes grumpy character, which he admits may have annoyed some teammates. He notes that, without the penalties imposed on the club, Espaly would have finished top of its group and earned promotion to National 1, recalling that the press had the best attack in the group that season.
Fournel approaches the upcoming match as a professional, aware of the memories shared with Espaly’s supporters, and motivated by the need to keep performing well away from his Auvergnian roots.
Facts cited
- Fournel played the 2024-2025 season with Espaly-Saint-Marcel, highlighted by a 16th of finals against Paris Saint-Germain and relegation to Régional 1.
- For the 2025-2026 season with Olympique d'Alès en Cévennes, Fournel scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in 25 of 26 matches.
- Without point sanctions, Espaly would have finished first and earned promotion to National 1 that season.
Your questions, our answers
What match marked Fournel during his time at Espaly?
The 16th of finals against Paris Saint-Germain during the 2024-2025 season is the match he remembers most from his spell at Espaly-Saint-Marcel.
What figures did Fournel achieve at Alès in his first season?
In his first season at Olympique d'Alès en Cévennes, Fournel scored 10 goals, provided 5 assists and played 25 of 26 matches.
Why did Fournel leave Espaly for Alès?
Fournel says he wanted to change region and join a club with a structured approach aiming for the upper table, which motivated him to sign with Alès in the summer of 2025.