Angers (AFP)

Angers eliminated Rennes 2-1 in the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France on Thursday in an icy-windy 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.).

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.

Serhou Guirassy, ​​who came into play a few minutes after the break to replace Benjamin Del Castillo struck by a clearance received in the face, finally restarted the match with a splendid coiled strike, almost back to goal, which found the entering post (2-1, 53rd).

The same Guirassy then sank into the area to deliver a good center back for Martin Terrier, who completely missed his shot (69th).

And he grazed the frame of the head (82nd).

But the Angevins held on.

Corrected Sunday in Nice 3-0 in the league, they 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.

© 2021 AFP