Metz and Montpellier qualified for the round of 16 of the CDF this Saturday, while Lens and Lorient were eliminated from the competition.
Health crisis requires, the format of the traditional Coupe de France has been adapted this season. For this 2020-21 edition, we had to wait for the round of 16 to see amateur clubs mingle with professional clubs. This Saturday afternoon, seven matches were played. And as often, the magic worked.
Lens and Lorient are surprised
Entangled in the fight for maintenance, FC Lorient faced Puy en Velay (N2), in Auvergne. Facing the amateurs, the Merlus intended to qualify with a reworked team. But as often in the Coupe de France, overcoming the teams in the lower ranks is not always an easy task. The Bretons had the painful experience this Saturday, since it was the locals who had the best in the 61st, by Joseph. A goal synonymous with qualification and therefore achievement!
Fifth in Ligue 1, Racing Club de Lens remained on a victory on the lawn of AS Saint-Etienne (2-3) in the league. Earlier this Saturday, it was on that of the Red Star, resident of National, that the Northerners were expected. It all started badly, as it was the locals who opened the scoring with a goal scored by Ba in the 21st. Fortunately for the Sang et Or, the doubt did not have time to settle, Medina quickly putting the counters equal with the head (29th).
In the second half, Lens enforced the hierarchy with a goal from Doucouré in the 49th, before sinking at the very end of the game. The Red Star indeed managed to overthrow Lens, equalizing by Michel (83rd), then taking the lead by Dzabana in added time (91st). The other feat of the day!
Metz without forcing, Montpellier was scared
Opposed to the VAFC, FC Metz of Frédéric Antonetti was initially very scared at the start of the match. From the 4th minute of play, Valenciennes indeed missed a penalty, Caillard, decisive on the ground, pushing back Guillaume’s shot. Clumsy, the Northerners then took a lesson in this exercise. Ironically, Metz then made the difference with two shots at 11 meters. The first was entered by Centonze (7th), the second was signed by Ambrose (34th). In the second half, the Garnets also scored in the game. Dias Goncalves and Sarr, were responsible for ensuring the qualification to their team (61st and 89th). Metz will see the knockout stages!
If Metz won on the lawn of Valenciennes (L2), Montpellier did the job against Alès. Opposed to a National 3 team, the MHSC however won with a reorganized team, marked by the absences of Gaetan Laborde, Téji Savanier or Jonas Omlin. On a lawn of poor quality, the locals fought a good battle for the men of Michel Der Zakarian, who however managed to open the scoring thanks to a realization of Ferri (12th).
But Alès, united and diligent, managed to equalize. Served in depth, El Bakkam thus managed to shake the nets (22nd), sowing doubt in the heads of Hérault. Finally, the residents of L1 managed to obtain their qualification at the end of the match (85th), thanks to Gaëtan Laborde.
Three more meetings between lower divisions
In addition to the results of the professional teams, three matches were played between small thumbs this Saturday. At first, it was Sedan who won his precious sesame by going to win on the lawn of Saint-Louis Neuweg (0-2). Later, Rumilly-Vallières won on penalties against Annecy (1-1, 6-5 TAB), while Saumur got the better of US Montagnarde (3-1). There will therefore still be possible exploits to hope for during the knockout stages of CDF!
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