The Coupe de France entered another decisive phase with the draw for the round of 16. This draw, for the first time without geographical zones, promised its share of unexpected matches, with meetings between Ligue 1 teams and more modest teams, even from the lower divisions. For the Bretons, this round will be an opportunity to distinguish themselves against “taken” clubs.
Stade Rennes, victorious today in Bordeaux, inherited ESTAC Troyes (Ligue 2) for this next round, scheduled for January 15. If on paper, the Breton club seems the clear favorite, it is impossible to underestimate the dangers of a match in the Coupe de France. Traps are frequent, and a trip to Troyes could well hold surprises, especially when we know that ESTAC is a team capable of thwarting Ligue 1 teams.
Many Bretons will be dreaming of great performances during this 16th round, and not just Rennes. Stade Brestois, which has had a solid start to the season in Ligue 1, will face FC Nantes in a 100% Breton derby. A high-level, highly anticipated confrontation, where the two clubs will try to win and reach the round of 16.
As for Saint-Brieuc, playing nationally, the team was able to seduce its audience during its last match against Le Havre. The Fred-Aubert stadium is already buzzing, with the hope of seeing a run in the Coupe de France which could mark the club's history. The Costa Ricans dream of creating a surprise, and why not qualifying for the next round. Guingamp, also in the competition, will have a great opportunity with a match against FC Sochaux Montbéliard, a National 1 group. The En Avant, always formidable in this competition, will undoubtedly be able to respond, in a format where everything remains possible.
The Breton clubs, as a whole, should, in our opinion, be there. The suspense remains, but Brittany has a good chance of being well represented in the next round. Here is the list of matches for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France 2024-2025:
• SC Bastia (L2) — OGC Nice (L1)
• SU Dives-Cabourg (N3) — Le Puy-en-Velay (N2)
• Toulouse FC (L1) — Stade Lavallois (L2)
• Quevilly-Rouen (N1) — Angers SCO (L1)
• Le Mans FC (N1) — Valenciennes FC (N1)
• Haguenau FCSR (N2) — USL Dunkerque (L2)
• Olympique de Marseille (L1) — Lille OSC (L1)
• ESTAC Troyes (L2) — Stade Rennais (L1)
• Stade Briochin (N2) — FC Annecy (L2)
• EA Guingamp (L2) — FC Sochaux-Montbéliard (N1)
• Stade de Reims (L1) — AS Monaco (L1)
• FC Bourgoin-Jallieu (N3) — Olympique Lyonnais (L1)
• Tours (R1) or Lorient (L2) — Cannes (N2)
• Stade brestois (L1) — FC Nantes (L1)
• ES Thaon-les-Vosges (N3) — RC Strasbourg (L1)
• FC Espaly-Saint-Marcel (N3) — Paris SG (L1) ou RC Lens (L1)
