In a thrilling encounter at the Gaston-Petit stadium on May 2, 2025, La Berrichonne de Châteauroux and Dijon FCO played to a dramatic 3-3 draw, leaving both teams with mixed feelings as the season approaches its climax. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Châteauroux initially taking a commanding lead before Dijon clawed their way back into the contest.
The home side kicked off the match with an electrifying start, as Mamadou Diallo found the back of the net just seven minutes in. Receiving the ball near the edge of the box, Diallo unleashed a shot that was deflected, looping over Dijon goalkeeper Paul Delecroix to give Châteauroux an early 1-0 lead.
Châteauroux continued to apply pressure, and it wasn’t long before they doubled their advantage. In the 22nd minute, Tyrone Tormin showcased his skill by feigning a shot before slotting the ball into the net, making it 2-0. However, the joy was short-lived as Dijon responded immediately, with Jovany Ikanga scoring in the 24th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
As the first half progressed, Châteauroux was awarded a penalty after Diallo was brought down in the box by Dijon’s Makutungu. Diallo stepped up to take the penalty in the 29th minute, confidently converting it to restore the two-goal cushion at 3-1.
But just when it seemed like Châteauroux would take a comfortable lead into halftime, Dijon was awarded a penalty of their own in the 36th minute after a handball in the box. Maxime Parsemain made no mistake from the spot, scoring to bring Dijon back to within one goal at 3-2.
The second half saw increased intensity as both teams fought hard for control. Châteauroux appeared to be on the back foot, and in the 62nd minute, Dijon equalized again through another penalty, this time converted by Parsemain after Ikanga was fouled in the area. The score was now tied at 3-3, and the atmosphere in the stadium was electric.
With the match entering its final stages, both teams had chances to claim victory. In the dying moments, Châteauroux thought they had scored the winner when Dembélé found the net in the 90+4 minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the game at a stalemate.
The match ended with a draw, leaving Châteauroux in a precarious position as they fight to avoid relegation. They are now just two points behind Paris 13 Atletico, the first team above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Dijon remains in fourth place, still with a slim chance of making the playoffs for promotion to Ligue 2.
The game was watched by 4,930 spectators, who witnessed a match filled with drama, skill, and controversy. Several players received yellow cards, including Vargas-Rios and Makutungu for Dijon, and Mbengue and Mendy for Châteauroux, highlighting the intensity of the clash.
After the match, Châteauroux's coach, Cris, expressed his disappointment with the officiating, stating, "Once again, I believe we were penalized by the refereeing." He received a yellow card himself for his passionate protests during the match. On the other hand, Dijon’s coach praised Châteauroux’s efforts, saying, "Châteauroux deserved this point from the draw," acknowledging the fight shown by their opponents.
As the season winds down, Châteauroux will need to channel this performance into their next matches, starting with a crucial game against Orléans, if they hope to secure their place in the National for another season. With two matches remaining, every point counts in this thrilling race against relegation.
