Coupe de France Round of 32: Key Matches and Results
The Coupe de France continues to deliver excitement as the round of 32 unfolds. One of the highlights is the upcoming match between AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique de Marseille (OM), set to take place this Sunday at 2:45 p.m. This match is particularly significant as it follows a recent Ligue 1 encounter where OM triumphed over Saint-Étienne with a score of 2-0. With ASSE struggling in Ligue 1 and having recently replaced their coach, the stakes are high for both teams.
Saint-Étienne, now under the guidance of interim coach Laurent Huard, aims to turn their fortunes around after a challenging season. Meanwhile, OM, currently second in the league behind Paris Saint-Germain, will face the match without key player Pol Lirola, who is serving a suspension. Additionally, the match will be played at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium without supporters due to a ban imposed by the Ministry of the Interior, citing risks of confrontation between fans.
Surprising Outcomes in Other Matches
The 32nd finals of the Coupe de France have already seen some surprising results. Stade Briochin, a National 2 club, achieved a remarkable upset by eliminating Ligue 1's Le Havre with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a late goal from Stan Janno. Similarly, AS Cannes and Bourgoin-Jallieu, both from lower divisions, managed to knock out Ligue 2 teams, with Cannes defeating Grenoble 3-2 and Bourgoin-Jallieu overpowering Martigues 4-1.
Toulouse FC, the 2023 Cup winners, faced a tough challenge against Haut Lyonnais, pushing the match to penalties after a goalless draw. Despite being reduced to ten men, Toulouse emerged victorious in the shootout with a score of 4-2. Stade Brestois also secured a narrow win against La Roche-sur-Yon, continuing their strong performance in the tournament.
