Nantes-Lyon is a match in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France and is played on Wednesday at 21:10: live TV, predictions, likely formations.
On one side are the holders of the trophy, who could taste again the thrill of winning a title after just one year. On the other hand, a team that has now staked everything on winning the national cup to return to a European competition, considering that it is unlikely to do so through the league.
Nantes-Lyon is undoubtedly the most intriguing semi-final of this Coupe de France: whoever goes through to the final will automatically be the big favourite, given that on the other side are Annecy, a team that plays in the lower division, and Toulouse: certainly not two battleships. A truly enormous occasion for Laurent Blanc’s men, fresh from their feat at the Parc des Princes. There couldn’t have been a better way, in fact, to approach one of the most important matches of the season for the Gones, who ran away at home to the French champions. On Sunday evening, Lyon took advantage of Psg’s moment of crisis (0-1) and brought home a precious success, especially in terms of self-esteem. Barcola’s decisive goal allowed Olympique to return to winning ways after three consecutive draws and to improve a ranking that has so far seen them hover between tenth and ninth place.
Lyon and Nantes go all-in on the cup
Europe, however, remains distant. And that is why Blanc intends to go all-in on the cup, which also puts qualification for the next Europa League up for grabs.
Blas
An objective also set by Nantes, who already secured a European cup pass a year ago thanks to their triumph in the Coupe de France. Antoine Kombouare’s team, however, is not doing so well: in Ligue 1 they have not won since last February and after the heavy 0-3 against Reims last Sunday they risk being clamorously involved in the relegation zone. The Canaries’ coach has not called up defender Hadjam, who is fasting due to Ramadan, while Traoré and Merlin are still injured. In Lyon, on the other hand, the only unavailable players are Gusto and Sarr. Blanc should reintroduce the three-man defence.
The Prediction
The current standings say there is a fourteen-point difference between the two teams. And even the latest results suggest Lyon are favourites for the final.
The likely line-up for Nantes-Lyon
- NANTES (3-5-2): Descamps; Castelletto, Girotto, Pallois; Coco, Sissoko, Chirivella, Moutoussamy, Centonze; Blas, Delort.
- LION (3-4-1-2): Lopes; Lovren, Lukeba, Diomandé; Kumbedi, Caqueret, Tolisso, Tagliafico; Cherki; Lacazette, Barcola.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2