Rouen v Angers – Thariq Amir
Rouen made light work of Metz in the last round of the Coupe de France and they again welcome Ligue 1 opposition to the Stade Robert Diochon this time in the form of Angers. This match should be a tougher test of David Giguel’s National 2 – Group B table-topping outfit, but not one that should overawe his team.
Angers for their part saw themselves sitting in the heady heights of second earlier in the season and took part in an unlikely top of the table clash with Paris Saint-Germain. They have regressed to the mean now, however, sliding down the table to 10th having won just three of their previous nine Ligue 1 encounters. Scoring seems to be a particular struggle as during that period they have only managed to find the net more than once on just one occasion against Nantes.
They did manage to find bag three against Dieppe in the last round of the Coupe de France but even then, they had to rely on two late strikes to add gloss to the score line.
Perhaps what works in Angers’ favour is that they are in a relatively comfortable league position. They’re 11 points clear of the drop zone and just three points off fourth place so they can afford to focus fully on the game.
Angers aren’t a prolific outfit, 23 goals in 20 league games is testament to that, so the first goal will be crucial. Their top scorer, Rachid Alioui, only has five goals to his name as Stéphane Moulin has struggled to find a formula to sharpen their cutting edge. If Rouen, once again enjoying home advantage, get their noses in front then the chances of Angers advancing aren’t great.
This is a tie well-worth keeping an eye on.
Athletico Marseille v Rennes – Philippa B
There have been name changes, new investors, DNCG administrative relegations and more in the history of ‘the other Marseille team’ but fifth-tier Athletico Marseille are well up for this. They started their cup campaign back in September with a 6-1 win after extra time against a District side, which suggests a deep commitment to entertainment.
After that their winning run including beating two National 2 sides and Ligue 2’s Rodez in the last round, and they are decamping to Stade Parsemain in Fos-sur-Mer for their big match against Rennes, who needed penalties to see off SC Amiens after a goalless draw.
Ex-OM player Mamdou Niang is their Sporting Director, and they have Farid Fouzari, journeyman both as a player and a manager on the bench, full of praise for Rennes and Julien Stéphan, but hoping that ‘home’ advantage can make the difference – « on sera la seule équipe dans la région à recevoir, cela peut faire du monde au stade. »
They will need that advantage – Rennes are now significantly less busy than before Christmas having been knocked out of the Europa League and Coupe de la Ligue, so should be taking this seriously. It’s tough to see anything but a win for the Ligue 1 side…
Dijon v Nimes – Philippa B
Two struggling Ligue 1 teams face off in what could a match won by whoever decides to put staying up on hold and take this seriously. That will probably be Dijon, now three points above the relegation zone after recovering from a horrendous start to the season, as opposed to Nimes, bang in trouble with only 15 points, who are weak at both ends of the park.
Dijon beat Ligue 2 side Valenciennes 2-1 in the last round while Nimes needed penalties to see off fifth-tier Tours after a 2-2 draw.
Cutting the mustard, etc and so on.
Montpellier v Caen – Philippa B
Montpellier’s job in the last round was to avoid hideous embarassment against Regional side Reims St Anne. While they got through, having to rely on a single goal, from 42-year-old central defender Vitorino Hilton, wasn’t the most convincing result. Ligue 2’s Caen will be hoping that that, and MHSC’s tussle to get into the European places, will give them an opportunity.
SMC’s campaign started with a 6-0 thumping of seventh-tier Murs-Erigne before two tighter one-goal wins against sides from National 2 and 3, and they are 15th in Ligue 2, but we can rely on Pascal Dupraz and his knitwear to give a stirring pre-match briefing to his team. This could well be another tight game where one goal will win it – whose, is up for grabs.