The 32nd finals of the Coupe de France mark the entry into the running of Ligue 1 teams in the competition.
Which should provide some very interesting posters.
Small panorama of the meetings that should not be missed from this Friday evening.
Read also The calendar of the Coupe de France
Paris FC-Olympique Lyonnais (Friday, 9 p.m., Eurosport 2)
Olympique Lyonnais must turn their heads right side up. Entangled in a delicate situation, both in sporting terms with disappointing results in the league (13th) and behind the scenes with the announced departure of Juninho and the weakened position of Peter Bosz, the Rhone team must take advantage of the Coupe de France to find a new impetus. Especially since his opponent in these 32nd finals, Paris FC, appears to be within reach. Facing the Parisian Ligue 2 team, the Gones start favorites. However, be careful not to underestimate it: the club coached by Thierry Laurey, 4th in the second division just two points behind the Ajaccian leader, remains on an excellent series of five straight victories. A dynamic that he hopes to keep this Friday evening.
Read alsoCoupe de France: "A bonus match" against Lyon for Paris FC, according to Laurey
Rennes-Lorient (Saturday, 9 p.m., Eurosport 2)
A great confrontation between Breton clubs. This Saturday evening, Stade Rennais receives FC Lorient for a tempting poster; the only one of these round of 16 opposing two Ligue 1 teams. Les Rouge et Noir, in the fight for the podium in the league (3rd) and qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa Conference Conference, achieved a very good first part season and will carry the pressure of the result on their shoulders. An elimination against their Lorient neighbors would be considered a failure. Especially since the Merlus (19th), after an honorable start to the year, have completely sunk, losing their last seven Ligue 1 matches. Will logic be respected or Christophe Pélissier and his men will succeed in pulling themselves together in a new competition?
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The joy of the Parisians after their title acquired last season
Lyon-La Duchère-Saint-Etienne (Sunday, 1:45 p.m., Eurosport Player and France 3 regions)
An unusual derby to say the least. Just arrived at AS Saint-Etienne to take over from Claude Puel, Pascal Dupraz will lead his first match at the head of the Greens against Lyon-La Duchère this Sunday. Admittedly, it is not Olympique Lyonnais but the rivalry between the two neighboring cities is so important in sport that the meeting promises to be hot. The two clubs are not at best in the league. The National 2 team is in the soft underbelly of the Group C standings (10th), already a long way from the top places. For its part, the formation of Forez, the red lantern of Ligue 1, is going through a catastrophic first part of the season. Will the arrival of a new coach accustomed to playing the firefighter on duty allow him to revive? Answer Sunday afternoon.
Read also At the bedside of the Greens, Pascal Dupraz puts on the boots of the firefighter on duty
Reims Sainte-Anne-Stade de Reims (Sunday, 4 p.m., Eurosport Player)
It is not the most interesting poster on paper, but it has the merit of being original.
The Stade de Reims will move this Sunday afternoon… on its own lawn, at the Stade Auguste-Delaune, to face another club from Reims, Reims Saint-Anne, which plays in the regional first division.
In view of the difference in level, Oscar Garcia's men logically advance as favorites.
But the magic of the Coupe de France lies in the surprises it has in store.
To read also In an open letter, the players of the Stade de Reims explain lowering their salaries until the end of the season
Feignies-Aulnoye-Paris Saint-Germain (Sunday, 9:10 p.m., Eurosport 2)
An unbalanced poster. This Sunday evening, Paris Saint-Germain faces Feignies-Aulnoye, club National 3, in Valenciennes. The Red and Blue, who are largely starting out with the favors of the predictions, have no room for error. Mauricio Pochettino could make a significant rotation, three days before the last day of Ligue 1 before the winter break. It is not certain to see Kylian Mbappé or Lionel Messi start the meeting. It will be particularly interesting to see how the Parisian team will behave - especially the substitutes - they who are used to disappointing in the game but who know how to be extremely realistic in both surfaces.Will the title holders outrageously dominate the meeting as their status suggests or will they be in trouble against a valiant team that will put all its guts on the lawn?
