The red lantern of Ligue 2 hopes to extend its epic at the expense of OL, who have a golden opportunity to brighten up their painful season.
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The end of Valenciennes’ season looks a lot like the start of Lyon’s: a team that no longer puts one foot in front of the other. Without a victory for more than two months, the bottom of Ligue 2 is almost condemned to the descent to the National. In his state, a victory in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, in Lyon, Tuesday April 2 (8:45 p.m.), would be a resounding achievement.
Before their visit to Groupama Stadium, Ahmed Kantari’s players were spoiled by fate as they did not face any Ligue 1 opponents, eliminating the other surprise, Rouen, in the previous round. The last finalist of the elite non-resident Cup was Les Herbiers (National), in 2018. The final will take place on May 25 in Lille, 50 kilometers from Valenciennes. A sign ?
The Rhone residents have raised the bar in 2024. Nine victories, a draw and three defeats have brought OL back to calmer waters, to 10th place in Ligue 1, to the point where they can hope to sit on a European folding seat. But John Textor’s club would achieve this more quickly if they won the Coupe de France, 12 years after their fourth victory in the competition.
