Paris (AFP)
The defending champion Rennes opens the ball of the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France with a trap trip to Belfort (fourth division), Tuesday (8:55 p.m.), before a long-awaited shock between Lyon and Marseille, Wednesday (9:05 p.m.).
Third in Ligue 1, still in the running to defend its trophy, the Breton club seems to be spending happy days on paper. But the surprise departure of its president Olivier Létang, Friday, created a shock wave.
What weaken the team of Eduardo Camavinga before going to face, in Sochaux, the fans of Belfort (N2) who eliminated Montpellier in the previous round? "We have extremely exciting deadlines for us. The spirit of competition takes precedence over everything," wanted to reassure coach Julien Stéphan on Saturday.
On Wednesday, the long-awaited "Olympico" between OL and OM will take on a Lyon revenge team against Marseille, second in L1, in full confidence.
Under pressure, Gones technician Rudi Garcia has no room for error against his former club, who dreams of winning his first French Cup since 1989.
Previously (6.30 p.m.), Paris SG returned to Dijon, where it conceded its last defeat in all competitions, on November 1. 21 matches later, PSG seem irresistible and the announced return of Neymar, after a blow to the ribs, should avoid him a bad surprise in Côte-d'Or.
The quarter-finals conclude on Thursday (9 p.m.) in Nancy via Epinal-Saint-Etienne. The Vosges, in the fourth division, can hope to succeed in a blow against Stéphanois in doubt, who chained Sunday a third row loss in Ligue 1.
The semi-final draw is scheduled for Wednesday.
French Cup quarter-final program:
. Tuesday
(8:55 p.m., in Sochaux) Belfort (N2) - Rennes
. Wednesday
(6.30 p.m.) Dijon - Paris SG
(9:05 p.m.) Lyon - Marseille
. Thursday
(9 p.m., in Nancy) Epinal (N2) - Saint-Etienne
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