On May 2, 1998, 26 years ago to the day, RC Lens was invited to the final of the Coupe de France. Author of an incredible season in the championship, the Lensois leader who would become French Champion a few weeks later was opposed to PSG.
This is undoubtedly the only dark point at the end of the RC Lens season. The Sang et Or, who have been walking on water for several weeks, are favorites against Paris-Saint-Germain whom they swept aside 3-0 at Bollaert on March 15 in the championship. This is the first Coupe de France final played at the Stade de France, in front of nearly 80,000 people.. PSG has the advantage of having already been able to tame the Dionysian enclosure with a success on penalties against Bordeaux (2-2, 4 tab 2).
Lensois coach Daniel Leclercq will later say that his team was surprised by the impressive stadium environment. Despite the presence of more than 20,000 RC Lens supporters, Jean-Guy Wallemme and his teammates do not display their usual faces. Raï with a superb header (24th) and Marco Simone (53rd) take advantage. Vladimir Smicer, on a tumble from Tony Vairelles (83rd), will only be able to reduce the score late. 25 years later, the Coupe de France remains a trophy that still eludes the Sang et Or.
The essays :
RC Lens: Warmuz – Sikora, Wallemme (cap.), Magnier, Debève (Brunel, 68′) – Foé, Déhu, Ziani – Smicer, Drobnjak (Eloi, 60′), Vairelles.
PSG: V. Fernandez – Domi, Roche, Rabésandratana, Le Guen, Algérino – Ducrocq, Gava, Rai – Simone, Maurice (Fournier, 87′).
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