Ligue 1 giant Lyon need only beat Valenciennes in midweek to reach its first Coupe de France final since 2012
Ligue 2 hopeful Valenciennes is hoping to become the first team from outside France’s top flight to contest a Coupe de France final in six years when it stares down the threat of Lyon on Tuesday. No club from below Ligue 1 has made it to the cup decider since third-tier Les Herbiers lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2018 crescendo, making this the longest wait for such a contender in almost 30 years. However, Pierre Sage has molded Lyon into a side that looks capable of winning silverware once again, and the Groupama Stadium hosts are unlikely to be obliging to their midweek guests.
How to Watch Lyon vs. Valenciennes Today
Game Date: April 2, 2024
Start Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Game Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France
TV: FOX Sports 2, FOX Sports 2
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Caretake coach Ahmed Kantari deserves full praise for taking the Athenians this far in their underdog tale, even as the club sits 20th in Ligue 2 and on the brink of relegation to the third division.
However, it must be pointed out Lyon will be the first Ligue 1 opponent to face Valenciennes in this year’s tournament, and the timing could be better given Lyon’s recent rise in form.
Les Gones were a shadow of their former selves during the first half of the campaign and at one stage looked all but destined to be part of a relegation scrap.
However, Sage has transformed Lyon’s prospects and pulled the club back to 10th in Ligue 1, having won 13 and lost just three of its last 17 outings in all competitions.
Ernest Nuamah’s strike secured a draw at home to Reims on Saturday after Joseph Okumu put the visiting team into the lead minutes prior:
For both these teams, a pass to the Coupe de France final could provide some much-needed light in what’s been an otherwise dark season at times, particularly for Valenciennes.
The winner of Tuesday’s clash will advance to meet wither PSG or Rennes in the final, the main question being whether said decider will feature a surprise Ligue 2 entrant.
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