After a busy weekend in the Round of 64 of the Coupe de France, it’s already time to focus on the next round of the competition, set for the weekend of January 19-21. 15 Ligue 1 sides have advanced; here’s our look at what awaits them.
Stade Rennais – Olympique de Marseille
The marquee matchup of the round sees two sides who are European regulars square off. Rennes have had an uneven start to the season domestically, but could view a Coupe de France title as an avenue back into Europe, while Marseille are rounding into form behind the strong play of veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
US Orléans (National) – Paris Saint-Germain
After thrashing amateurs Revel in the previous round, the capital side will make a short journey south to face Orléans, a club who have spent plenty of time in Ligue 2 but are currently mid-table in the third tier. Runners-up in the Coupe in 1980, Orléans may have fallen on hard times, but represent a far higher level and challenge than Revel.
Clermont Foot 63 – RC Strasbourg
The other all-Ligue 1 tie in this round, this match will see these two teams square off twice in the span of a week, as they are due to meet in the league the following weekend. Clermont have struggled this season, with Pascal Gastien’s weathering injuries, and will have a tough ask against a Strasbourg side who have sprung to life of late, with wins in each of their last four matches.
Rodez (Ligue 2) – AS Monaco
After winning a thrilling penalty shootout away to Lens on Sunday, Monaco will have a chance to exact on the side that knocked them out of this competition in the Round of 64 last year. Rodez have never played in the top flight, or won a major trophy, but their run to the quarterfinals of last year’s Coupe de France underscores that they can’t be overlooked.
Girondins de Bordeaux (Ligue 2) – OGC Nice
One of France’s most historically successful clubs, Bordeaux narrowly missed out on an immediate return to Ligue 1 last season, and will be seeking their fifth title in this competition. They’ll face off against a Nice side who have performed well in recent season, but are without a domestic trophy since their third Coupe de France win more than 25 years ago.
Sochaux (National) – Stade de Reims
Les Lionceaux were the only team from a lower division to knock out a Ligue 1 side, and they’ll be hoping to repeat the trick against a Reims side who will be missing several key players owing to the Africa Cup of Nations. Two-time winners of the Coupe de France, the eastern side can call on two former Reims players — Thomas Fontaine and N’Dri Philippe Koffi — for this encounter as they hope to spring another upset.
FC Rouen (National) – Toulouse FC
Finally, the holders will head north to Normandy to take on FC Rouen. One of the region’s most successful teams historically, Les Diables Rouges now play in the third tier, but have a top flight title and several regional honors in their history. After breaking a lengthy trophy drought last year, Toulouse have impressed in Europe this season, but struggled domestically - this match should give them a much-needed boost of confidence.
The rest of the Ligue 1 sides in action and their opponents:
Feignies-Aulnoye (National 2) – Montpellier HSC
FC Nantes – Stade Lavallois (Ligue 2)
Racing Club de France (National 2) – LOSC Lille
Trelissac (National 2) – Stade Brestois 29
Bergerac (National 2) – Olympique Lyonnais
Châteauroux (National) – Le Havre AC
The marquee matchup of the round sees two sides who are European regulars square off. Rennes have had an uneven start to the season domestically, but could view a Coupe de France title as an avenue back into Europe, while Marseille are rounding into form behind the strong play of veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
US Orléans (National) – Paris Saint-Germain
After thrashing amateurs Revel in the previous round, the capital side will make a short journey south to face Orléans, a club who have spent plenty of time in Ligue 2 but are currently mid-table in the third tier. Runners-up in the Coupe in 1980, Orléans may have fallen on hard times, but represent a far higher level and challenge than Revel.
Clermont Foot 63 – RC Strasbourg
The other all-Ligue 1 tie in this round, this match will see these two teams square off twice in the span of a week, as they are due to meet in the league the following weekend. Clermont have struggled this season, with Pascal Gastien’s weathering injuries, and will have a tough ask against a Strasbourg side who have sprung to life of late, with wins in each of their last four matches.
Rodez (Ligue 2) – AS Monaco
After winning a thrilling penalty shootout away to Lens on Sunday, Monaco will have a chance to exact on the side that knocked them out of this competition in the Round of 64 last year. Rodez have never played in the top flight, or won a major trophy, but their run to the quarterfinals of last year’s Coupe de France underscores that they can’t be overlooked.
Girondins de Bordeaux (Ligue 2) – OGC Nice
One of France’s most historically successful clubs, Bordeaux narrowly missed out on an immediate return to Ligue 1 last season, and will be seeking their fifth title in this competition. They’ll face off against a Nice side who have performed well in recent season, but are without a domestic trophy since their third Coupe de France win more than 25 years ago.
Sochaux (National) – Stade de Reims
Les Lionceaux were the only team from a lower division to knock out a Ligue 1 side, and they’ll be hoping to repeat the trick against a Reims side who will be missing several key players owing to the Africa Cup of Nations. Two-time winners of the Coupe de France, the eastern side can call on two former Reims players — Thomas Fontaine and N’Dri Philippe Koffi — for this encounter as they hope to spring another upset.
FC Rouen (National) – Toulouse FC
Finally, the holders will head north to Normandy to take on FC Rouen. One of the region’s most successful teams historically, Les Diables Rouges now play in the third tier, but have a top flight title and several regional honors in their history. After breaking a lengthy trophy drought last year, Toulouse have impressed in Europe this season, but struggled domestically - this match should give them a much-needed boost of confidence.
The rest of the Ligue 1 sides in action and their opponents:
Feignies-Aulnoye (National 2) – Montpellier HSC
FC Nantes – Stade Lavallois (Ligue 2)
Racing Club de France (National 2) – LOSC Lille
Trelissac (National 2) – Stade Brestois 29
Bergerac (National 2) – Olympique Lyonnais
Châteauroux (National) – Le Havre AC
