FC Rouen, a National club, created a sensation by eliminating Monaco, 5th in Ligue 1, at the end of the penalty shootout (1-1, 6-5 tab) Thursday February 8 at the Robert-Diochon stadium and reached the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France.
Winners in the previous round of Toulouse, another resident of the elite and title holder, at the end of an endless penalty shootout (12-11 tab), the Rouennais had to go through the same exercise that they dominated thanks to two decisive saves from their goalkeeper Léonard Aggoune.
Monaco opened the scoring with a penalty converted by American striker Folarin Balogun (35th). Rouen captain Clément Bassin equalized at the very end of the first period (45ᵉ+5), bringing to fruition a highlight during which the Normans multiplied hot chances on the Monegasque goal.
A final which could be played in Lille
Rouen will host Valenciennes, bottom of Ligue 2, for a place in the semi-final of the Coupe de France.
In the other quarter-finals of the competition, scheduled for February 27 and 28, Paris Saint-Germain, leader of Ligue 1, will face Nice, its runner-up in the championship, according to the draw made Thursday by the world champion of fencing Ysaora Thibus. PSG, winner of Brest on Wednesday 3 goals to 1 in the round of 16, inherits the most difficult draw with Nice, which defeated Montpellier 4-1 in the previous round.
Another clash between Ligue 1 clubs will take place during these quarter-finals with Lyon-Strasbourg. The Lyonnais, reinvigorated since Pierre Sage took over from Fabio Grosso at their head, eliminated Lille 2 goals to 1 in the round of 16. Patrick Viera’s Strasbourg side won at home against Le Havre 3 goals to 1.
Le Puy, National 2 team, corresponding to the fourth division, and little thumb of the competition, inherited a mountain with Rennes, a Ligue 1 club currently in very good shape.
The final of the competition, scheduled for Saturday May 25, will not be able to be held at the Stade de France, due to work for the Olympic Games. It could take place at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Lille, a candidate for its organization and well placed to be retained by the Federation due to the elimination of Lille in the previous round.