Patrice Garande, TFC coach, during the eighth round match of the Coupe de France against Niort, January 20, 2021. -

Frédéric Scheiber / Sipa

  • Current second in Ligue 2, the TFC goes to the Girondins de Bordeaux on Wednesday in the 32nd of the Coupe de France.

  • The formula adopted for this 2020-2021 edition is not at all to the taste of Toulouse coach Patrice Garande.

Patrice Garande loves the Coupe de France, "a fantastic competition".

But the coach of TFC, current second in Ligue 2, does not like what the coronavirus epidemic, and football leaders, have made of the venerable test on the occasion of this 2020-2021 edition: a competition with two parallel tracks, one for the pros, the other for the amateurs, before reunification in the round of 16.

"The formula for this season is not the Coupe de France," deplores Garande, whose team, very reshaped, will move to Bordeaux on Wednesday in the round of 16.

In my opinion, this is a cut that is played by professionals.

However, by definition, the Coupe de France is made for amateur clubs.

It should allow them to have a good trip, to have the happiness of meeting teams from Ligue 1 or Ligue 2. When these amateur clubs arrive at this stage, it allows them to double or even triple their budget, under conditions normal.

"

Coupe de France: "The feeling of taking my players to the slaughterhouse" #FootNational https://t.co/J4szEyGOAn

- Foot National 🏆⚽️🇫🇷 (@footnational) January 21, 2021

That is, when spectators can come to the stadium to buy their ticket, but also a sandwich, two beers and the raffle ticket at half time.

None of that this year with the widespread closed doors.

So yes, teachers, butchers and other surveyors will still meet their professional “idols” in the round of 16, on March 7 and 8, but given the conditions, the famous magic of the Cup will be difficult to operate.

A resurrected League Cup?

“For amateur football, it's almost a drama,” Garande continues.

In this formula, we leave the possibility to amateur clubs to play the Coupe de France, but under what conditions… There is a curfew at 6 pm, while these clubs train in the evening… There are teams that have played or are going to play and have only been able to train twice over the weekend.

"

In the spring, professional clubs should logically take over the last rounds of a Coupe de France which would then look a lot like the late Coupe de la Ligue.

Sport

Coupe de France: The TFC has an appointment in Bordeaux, there will be a Garonne derby this season

Sport

TFC Mercato: The very promising Manu Koné signs for Borussia Mönchengladbach but remains in Toulouse

  • Aquitaine

  • Bordeaux

  • Covid 19

  • Sport

  • TFC

  • Coronavirus

  • Soccer

  • Girondins of Bordeaux

  • French Cup