Saturday, 4 January 2019

Coupe de France, round of 64

Stade Jacques-Rimbault, Bourges

 Jeunes Bourges Nord (N3) 0 - 2 Olympique Lyonnais 

Olympique Lyonnais may be sitting in third in Ligue 1 Conforama and looking ahead to a UEFA Champions League last-16 clash with the mighty Barcelona, but they still had plenty of nervy moments - especially in the first hour - in their Coupe de France round of 64 tie away to Bourges.

With France U21 striker Moussa Dembélé failing to seize the opportunity of a rare start, missing multiple chances starting with a one-on-one in the fifth minute, Lyon were lucky to head into the break on level terms. 'Keeper Anthony Lopes has no chance as Gaël Ebongue connected with a far-post header - but his effort came crashing back off the bar (41').

Lopes proves crucial

It was Martin Terrier who made the break just before the hour-mark, capitalising on some fine work from Ferland Mendy and working a shot inside the post (59'). Some nervy minutes followed for OL as Bourges pressed hard, but Lopes came out on top with a superb triple save to pave the way for the excellent Mendy to get his goal.

After the hapless Dembélé had slammed Terrier's through-ball onto the cross-bar, the France left-back was on hand to stroke home and put the game to bed (77'). Houssem Aouar had a chance to add some late gloss but fired narrowly wide, but that did nothing to prevent Lyon from progressing to the round of 32.

Banana skins

Elsewhere in France, Montpellier HSC were stunned by National (D3) side Entente SSG, Rayan Souici preventing extra-time with a last-gasp winner (90'+3) at the end of a hard-fought encounter in Saint-Gratien, just to the north of Paris.

Angers SCO fell victim to a similar fate just to the south of Paris, amateur club Viry-Châtillon's Mahamadou Sacko striking early in the second half for a 1-0 win. Nîmes Olympique also missed their chance for a place in the round of 32, copping a 3-0 hiding away to National side Lyon Duchère.

Qualified!

There will be other Ligue 1 Conforama clubs joining OL in the next round, however, with EA Guingamp having prevailed 4-2 in a thriller against National 3 (D5) side Pontivy Stade. Marcus Thuram put the see-sawing encounter to bed with a quick-fire second-half double  (64', 67').

SM Caen got the better of ten-man Red Star 1-0 thanks to substitute Yacine Bammou (81') while Amiens SC also defeated Domino's Ligue 2 opposition, Cheick Timite clinching a 1-0 win over Valenciennes.

Finally, Dijon's all-time top scorer Julio Tavares hit an injury-time special to make certain sure of qualification 3-1 after National 2 (D4) side Schiltigheim had pulled one back from the spot with 13 minus to go.

More Coupe de France round of 64 action to follow on Sunday!