The Pas-de-Calais and Nord clubs lost respectively against Red Star (3-2) and Metz (4-0) in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.
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Lens could not manage the change of status. The Sang et Or, surprising fifth in Ligue 1 when they have just been promoted, perfectly manage their status as a small thumb in the national championship. But this Saturday, March 6, when it was necessary to don the costume of the favorite against the Red Star, resident of the National (third level of French football), in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France, the Lensois cracked and bowed ( 3-2) after an enjoyable match.
The goals of Medina (29th) and Doucouré (49th) responded to the opening of the score of the Red Star, inside the Bauer stadium, in Saint-Ouen (Ile-de-France). But the Pas-de-Calais players, who had eliminated Nantes in the previous round, cracked in the last ten minutes. A mistake by goalkeeper Farinez, usually a substitute, allowed the Red Star to equalize in the 83rd minute. Finally, Alan Dzabana, with a nice strike from the left after a retreating cross, ended the hopes of the Lensois in the competition by scoring the third goal for his team in the last minute of regulation time.
⚽️ Oh what Doucouré’s goal for RC Lens! After a superb collective action, the Malian places a magnificent shot in the skylight! 2-1 for Lens against the Red Star #REDRCL pic.twitter.com/DeBLcC6wDW
– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) March 6, 2021
Franck Haise, the Lensois coach believes that his players must “digest this elimination and focus on the championship. We could no longer hold the ball or create opportunities and situations and the opponent saw it. The players did not snub the game, they did made the effort but they were unable to keep control of the match “. What will be the consequences of this defeat on their form in Ligue 1? See you on Sunday March 14 when they meet against Metz.
# Reactions ????
Franck #Smell after @RedStarFC – Lens#REDRCL #CdF #rclens pic.twitter.com/XsN4EOYSWP— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) March 6, 2021
Valenciennes swept away by Metz
The Lorraine club was playing its round of 16 this Saturday against Valenciennes. The VAFC players, not flamboyant in Ligue 2 (8th), were not up to the challenge they faced by being swept away (4-0) by solid Messins, sixth in Ligue 1. The match began with a penalty duel, that of Metz (7th) responding 3 minutes later to that obtained by Gaëtan Robail for the VAFC (4th). Only the Metz striker, Fabien Centonze, found the opening, and no doubt that Baptiste Guillaume, his Valenciennes counterpart, will long regret having missed his attempt, given the rest of the meeting.
The result is a new penalty, whistled by the referee of the match, Stéphanie Frappart, in favor of Ligue 1 players, after a poorly controlled tackle from Eric Vandenabeele. Another shooter rushed forward, Thierry Ambrose, for the same result as the first (2-0, 34th). Apathetic, the VAFC will concede a third goal, in the 61st minute after a great collective action then a fourth, on a magnificent strike from Pape Sarr (89th).
While waiting for Lille, which plays Sunday March 7 against GFC Ajaccio, the honor of the Nord Pas-de-Calais clubs was defended by Boulogne, who held their rank against AS Beauvais, Friday March 5 (2-0) .
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