Fourth-tier FC Montceau Bourgogne will look to add FC Sochaux-Montbéliard to their list of scalps in the first of this week's French Cup semi-finals.
One-off games
With Olympique de Marseille hosting FC Nantes Atlantique in the second instalment on Wednesday night, rank outsiders Montceau are in with a chance of reaching the final at the Stade de France on 13 May via the one-legged semi-finals - and possibly earning a UEFA Cup place.
Calais precedent
Beating FC Girondins de Bordeaux on penalties in the round of 16 before flooring RC Lens with a 1-0 triumph in the quarter-finals, Montceau have revived memories of Calais RUFC, who became the first side since the advent of professionalism in 1932 to contest the cup final - losing 2-1 to Nantes in 1999/00. "I have asked my players not to think about the Stade de France and the greatness of such an occasion," said full-back Yannick Chandioux, one of Montceau's two coaches. "I just want them to do as they did in the last two rounds: to fight and try to enjoy themselves out there.
'Try and frustrate them'
"I don't think Sochaux will be as complacent as Bordeaux and Lens," added Chandioux, whose team are unbeaten in their last five matches in the Championnat de France Amateur. "Professional players who are one game away from such a prestigious final don't often waste an opportunity like this. We'll try to frustrate them for as long as possible." To put the size of their task into context, the Ligue 1 rankings show Sochaux - the visiting team on Tuesday - to be the fourth-best side in France at the moment.
'Match of their lives'
"It's the game of their lives," said Sochaux president Jean-Claude Plessis, whose club have not lifted the cup since 1937 despite three subsequent trips to the final, the last in 1988. "We respect their passion but it's also the match of our lives and we have to be more passionate than them." Whoever prevails will be up against a powerhouse in the final. Marseille may not have won the competition since 1989, yet they remain past masters, collecting the trophy a record ten times. Nantes, meanwhile, have three successes to their name and would love a fourth to boost morale as they battle relegation. "A win in Marseille could be vital to us," said coach Michel Der Zakarian. According to France coach Raymond Domenech, Nantes keeper Fabien Barthez could be a significant figure on his return to OM. "He will be the key," said Domenech. "It's a game for match-winners and Fabien is one. He can pull his whole team up to Marseille's level."
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This is all I can find on this match.
I made my play on Sochaux, Mr Cleo / IG.
One-off games
With Olympique de Marseille hosting FC Nantes Atlantique in the second instalment on Wednesday night, rank outsiders Montceau are in with a chance of reaching the final at the Stade de France on 13 May via the one-legged semi-finals - and possibly earning a UEFA Cup place.
Calais precedent
Beating FC Girondins de Bordeaux on penalties in the round of 16 before flooring RC Lens with a 1-0 triumph in the quarter-finals, Montceau have revived memories of Calais RUFC, who became the first side since the advent of professionalism in 1932 to contest the cup final - losing 2-1 to Nantes in 1999/00. "I have asked my players not to think about the Stade de France and the greatness of such an occasion," said full-back Yannick Chandioux, one of Montceau's two coaches. "I just want them to do as they did in the last two rounds: to fight and try to enjoy themselves out there.
'Try and frustrate them'
"I don't think Sochaux will be as complacent as Bordeaux and Lens," added Chandioux, whose team are unbeaten in their last five matches in the Championnat de France Amateur. "Professional players who are one game away from such a prestigious final don't often waste an opportunity like this. We'll try to frustrate them for as long as possible." To put the size of their task into context, the Ligue 1 rankings show Sochaux - the visiting team on Tuesday - to be the fourth-best side in France at the moment.
'Match of their lives'
"It's the game of their lives," said Sochaux president Jean-Claude Plessis, whose club have not lifted the cup since 1937 despite three subsequent trips to the final, the last in 1988. "We respect their passion but it's also the match of our lives and we have to be more passionate than them." Whoever prevails will be up against a powerhouse in the final. Marseille may not have won the competition since 1989, yet they remain past masters, collecting the trophy a record ten times. Nantes, meanwhile, have three successes to their name and would love a fourth to boost morale as they battle relegation. "A win in Marseille could be vital to us," said coach Michel Der Zakarian. According to France coach Raymond Domenech, Nantes keeper Fabien Barthez could be a significant figure on his return to OM. "He will be the key," said Domenech. "It's a game for match-winners and Fabien is one. He can pull his whole team up to Marseille's level."
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This is all I can find on this match.
I made my play on Sochaux, Mr Cleo / IG.
