Angers eliminated Rennes 2-1 in the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France on Thursday, in a frozen Raymond Kopa stadium, taking revenge after their epic defeat last year.
–
–
A year ago, in the round of 16 of the 2020 edition, Angers, finalist of the 2017 edition, and Rennes, then defending champion, played the last spectacular match of the competition before the elimination of extra time in the Coupe de France. Led 3-1 in the 85th, the Angevins had equalized at 3-3 to snatch extra time. Once again led, they had returned to 4-4 before giving in to the 110th on a strike from Jérémy Gélin, currently on loan at Antwerp (1st Belgian div.).
This year, in the same stadium, under the direction of the same referee Thomas Léonard, but this time behind closed doors, the Angevins caught the Rennais cold from the first minutes. The leader Angelo Fulgini first got rid of the central Rennes hinge to deceive Alfred Gomis with a header, on a millimeter cross from Vincent Manceau (1-0, 4th).
The same Fulgini then transformed with a shot flush with the post a penalty whistled for a foul by Rennes captain Damien Da Silva on Pierrick Capelle (2-0, 11th).
Sterile possession of Rennes
Faced with well-organized Angevins in defense, the Rouge et Noir then fell back into their sterile possession game, unable to approach the opposing goal.
At the same time, Angers remained dangerous on the block and narrowly failed to take off when a shot from Sada Thioub deflected by Gomis returned to Mohamed-Ali Cho. Out of balance, the 17-year-old striker, who celebrated his first professional tenure on Thursday, missed his recovery, diverted to the line by Nayef Aguerd.
An “unworthy” start to the Rennes match, fulminates Stéphan
Julien Stéphan (Rennes coach): “I am disappointed but also very angry at the start of the match, a start to the match unworthy of a Coupe de France match, without intensity, without energy. However, we had warned that after its defeat this weekend, Angers would attack hard. We didn’t win a single duel, we were put in difficulty every time they crossed the center line and entered the penalty area. The second half was very good, with a lot more rhythm, a lot more depth and coordinated movements. Unfortunately, once again, we lacked success. Those who returned to the offensive field (Guirassy, Gboho) have impacted and brought things. The defeat is a shame, we could have had another competition to play this season. We will focus on the championship. ”
–
–
Serhou Guirassy, who came into play a few minutes after the break, finally restarted the match with a splendid curled shot, almost back to goal, which found the incoming post (2-1, 53rd).
Corrected Sunday in Nice 3-0 in the league, the Angevins now expect Antoine Kombouaré from Nantes in three days. As for the Rennais, won by the top quartet in Ligue 1, they will have the opportunity to revive Sunday against the Stéphanois, also eliminated Thursday.
Angers won with “generosity and courage”, according to Moulin
Stéphane Moulin (Angers coach): “It changes things to lead 2-0 after a quarter of an hour of play! Tonight, we had a great performance because we beat a team that is very strong, which made us suffer in the second half. We had our salvation through our generosity and our courage, because on the game, in the second half, we were largely dominated. The Rennais could have come back several times, but we hung on like mad to our advantage. And we leave the winner of the 2019 edition, semi-finalist of last year … It must be recognized that the conditions were extremely difficult. At the start of the match, there was no problem, but in the second half … The field was a real ice rink. “
–
–
– .
