FC Nantes are in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France after their home victory against Lens (2-1). The Lensois had however opened the scoring by Seko Fofana (28th), but their former teammate Ignatius Ganago obtained two penalties, converted by Delort (31st and 57th) for his first goals in the Nantes jersey. In the depths of the Ligue 1 classification, the defending champions, just eliminated by Juventus Turin in the Europa League, have shown that they do not want to be content with fighting to maintain the league at the end of the season.
The Lensois, victims of their technical waste and their lack of success in attack, will be able to focus on the fight for European places. Just off the podium, they are still in the race for the Champions League, provided they set the sights quickly, from Saturday during the derby against Lille. In a hopelessly empty stadium due to a sanction for the use of smoke bombs in the final won by Nantes in May 2022 at the Stade de France, the minute of applause in memory of Just Fontaine rang very hollow.
Toulouse hits Rodez
Toulouse, on track to stay in Ligue 1, continues its journey in the Coupe de France, of which it reached the last four thanks to its card Wednesday in a sold-out Stadium against its Occitan neighbor Rodez (6-1), red lantern of League 2.
With this quiet qualification for the semi-finals, the “Téfécé”, winner of the 1957 Coupe de France, will have the opportunity to spice up the end of its season while its maintenance in L1, with more than ten points ahead of the relegation zone, is almost certain.
The adventure ends there, however, for the Ruthenians after having knocked down two Ligue 1 clubs, Monaco on penalties (2-2, 5-4) in the 32nd final and Auxerre (3 -2) in the round of 16. They will now be able to fully concentrate on their main objective: staying in Ligue 2.