After the incredible qualification of Lille, Tuesday evening in Marseille in 16e final of the Coupe de France, at the end of a penalty shootout full of suspense (1-1, 4 tab 3), find out what pleased… and displeased our editorial staff.
TOPS
Heroic Vito Mannone
The northern hero of the evening! Lucas Chevalier's replacement in the Lille goal (more than) assured. The Italian goalkeeper made six saves from seven Marseille shots in this match, including two exceptional saves against Mason Greewood. The first on a face to face with the English striker (36e) and the second at the very end of the match, well helped by his post (90e+2). The Mastiff goalkeeper did not stop there and disgusted the Phocaeans during the penalty shootout. The Losc player stopped two Olympian penalties out of five and sent his team in 8e final of the Coupe de France! The story is not the same on the side of Jeffrey de Lange, who sank (precipitously) during the penalty shootout.
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Indestructible Mastiffs
This Lille has (really) something more. Manhandled in the first half, Losc fought back in the second to push OM to the brink. Resumed in the last moments on the superb goal of Luis Henrique (90e+6), the Northerners seemed morally affected and in distress before attacking the penalty shootout. But harangued by the courageous and confident captain Benjamin André, Bruno Genesio's men returned to the fight and converted all of their shots on goal (4/4). While Lille has been marking time in recent weeks with only one victory and four draws in their last five outings in Ligue 1, they have once again proven the solidarity and solidity of their group by signing a 20e meeting without defeat! These Mastiffs are indestructible.
Rémy Cabella enjoyed returning to the Vélodrome
Big match from the Losc playmaker. The Lille number 10 perfectly dictated the play of his team. Always well placed, available and in the right rhythm, the former Marseillais also brought danger to the Olympian goal by targeting two of his three shots and pushing Jeffrey De Lange to save. The Mastiff also finished the match with almost 80% of successful passes on the clock. At 34 years old, the former French international still has some left under his belt.
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Coupe de France: “proud” of Lille’s qualification, Bruno Genesio congratulates his goalkeeper Mannone
Alexsandro and Bafodé Diakité impassable
The Lille central defender was extremely solid against Marseille. Very accurate in his transmissions and always in the right place, the Northerner used his physical power to bring order to his defense. His association with the Brazilian Alexsandro was very solid. The latter also ensured his shot during the penalty shootout and often anticipated Marseille's offensive movements, notably making a superb save against his goalkeeper in the first period. Mitchel Bakker and Hákon Arnar Haraldsson also offered a lot offensively, making the necessary defensive efforts.
FLOPS
Luis Henrique, fallen hero
Author of the (magnificent) Marseille equalizing goal in the final seconds (90e+6), the Brazilian quickly became disillusioned during the penalty shootout. The attacking Olympian saw his shot deflected by the Lille goalkeeper. An error which cost his team (very) dearly. Cruel for number 7 of OM.
Mason Greenwood harvested
The English striker offered a lot on Tuesday evening but came up against the northern goalkeeper with two shots on target. The attacking Olympian failed one-on-one with the Italian goalkeeper when he was alone in front of goal (36e) and saw his other attempt hit and deflected onto the post by Vito Mannone in the very last seconds of the match. A player of his caliber, normally, should have put one in the back. It's not much better on the side of his friend Neal Maupay, who allowed himself to play the local Diego Maradona (why?) by scoring with his hand on a goal (logically) refused before the break (38e)… Author, overall, of a score without (any) flavor.
OM cursed in the Coupe de France (and on penalties)
Clearly, bad luck does not leave the Marseillais. Already defeated during a shameful and pitiful elimination in 2023 on penalties, at the Vélodrome stadium, against the modest Annecy club (7-6), and against Rennes, in 2024, also on penalties (9- 8), the Phocaeans seem cursed in this exercise and in this competition which they have not won… since 1989! OM, by playing only one match per week this season, with the quality of its squad, still found a way to be, once again, ejected from the oldest competition in French football. A setback that goes badly and which announces – apart from a huge turnaround in Ligue 1 – yet another blank year for the Phocaeans. As a reminder, the last trophy gleaned by OM dates from… 2012.
Mehdi Benatia (unfairly?) excluded
The Marseille leader, surprisingly, received a red card in the wake of OM's equalizing goal (90e+6). The former Moroccan international made a new rant against refereeing – in particular aimed at the main referee of the match, Mr Turpin – following the elimination of his team. A decision, in any case, which will cause controversy and which seems more nebulous than anything else.
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“Find me the images, there is a fierce attack against me”: the new rant from Benatia (OM) against arbitration
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