Since an appointment was made between Aiglons and Canaris at the Stade de France, Christophe Galtier has a little obsessive side: “Not a day ago, I didn’t think about the match…” The Nice coach, who fell in the round of 16 for PSG, the finalist of the last six editions, knows that the opportunity is good.
>> Coupe de France: three reasons to follow the final between Nice and Nantes
And for good reason: Nice and Nantes face off on Saturday May 7 in the evening to try to win the trophy for the 105th edition at the Stade de France. Two historic clubs that have been waiting for a title for more than 20 years. 20,000 Nice supporters and as many from Nantes are expected for this sold-out final… On the Nice side, like Nantes, we can’t wait to fill the trophy cabinets again.
“It’s not often that OGC Nice has been able to win this trophy. And it’s not often that they can come and participate in a Coupe de France final…”
Christophe Galtierat franceinfo
“Of course there is a flavor!, he continues. These are matches that you should not play before: you have to stay in a normal routine…” Not easy when a whole city has been waiting for the Coupe de France for 25 years: the Brazilian defender Danté, the captain of Nice, has been able to measure it in recent weeks. “When you go to the supermarket, to the bakery, you see that the whole city is mobilized. People are waiting for this final…”assures Dante.
In Nantes too, there is talk of the Coupe de France on every street corner. Because the wait is just as interminable: 22 years have passed since the last coronation, against the fans of Calais. Nantes captain Ludovic Blas was two years old. “I think it’s good pressure too because these games, if we don’t take advantage and we don’t have fun, I don’t know when we’re going to take advantage, emphasizes the latter. So you just have to stay focused and above all prepare well for the match.”
And disregard the context: the match will take place in a sold-out Stade de France, and the Nantes supporters in yellow and green will be as numerous tonight as the Niçois in red and black.
“We feel that there is an expectation and a lot of support: we feel a fervor!”
Antoine Kombouaré, coach of FC Nantesat franceinfo
“People want to bring their joy, their love, adds Antoine Kombouare. What I especially want is for us to have a great football match, a great match, and for it to be a great football celebration.” Impatience for a title, popular enthusiasm… And that’s not all: another point in common between the clubs of Nice and Nantes is the number of French Cups, three each in their trophy case.