Coupe de la France final: LOSC Lille vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Title holders vs. League leaders
Stade de France will see defending Coupe de France champions face Ligue 1 leaders, LOSC Lille, in the final of the Coupe de La France on May 14, 2011.
The final is serving up as a massive occasion for PSG who are playing the cup final for the sixth time in nine seasons. It is bound to be an interesting affair as Les Parisiens are set to take on the most potent and deadly attack in France right now.
PSG have a strong pedigree in the Coupe de France as Les Parisiens have won the tournament on eight occasions, second only to bitter rivals http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127, who have lifted the revered trophy ten times.
PSG have shown the knack of rising to the occasion in big games even if they are faltering in the league. Last season, the capital club finished 13th in the Ligue 1. However, the PSG players inexorably rolled on to the final of the Coupe de France
last season where they beat AS Monaco 1-0 to grab their third trophy in just six years.
Change in fortunes
In the ongoing 2010/11 season, Paris Saint-Germain have fared much better in the league. Currently, Anthony Kombouare’s men are in fourth place in the league standings and are making one last assault on third place, which is currently occupied by Olympique
de Lyonnais. This means that winning the Coupe de France isn’t necessary for Les Parisiens to play in Europe next season
Moreover, PSG have the fifth best attack in France’s top division, but it does not diminish the fact that Les Parisiens are determined to win a title that the team has made its own in recent seasons.
PSG veteran, Claude Makelele, is also looking to end his legendary career on a high. While talking to the media, the highly decorated midfielder said, "It's a bit of an institution, and we're the holders. This club has won many Coupe de France titles, but
we've lost a few as well. This is the second year in a row that we've made it this far, and that counts for a lot."
Historic occasion for Lille
The story is much different for Lille. The team from the North of France has not tasted Cup glory for 56 years. However, things have changed this season for Lille and under the guidance of Rudi Garcia, Lille are aiming to bring back both trophies (Coupe
de http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 and La Championnat) home, which would be the club’s first ever cup and league double.
While talking to the media, Rudi Garcia admitted that a win would be a historic achievement for the club and said, "This appearance in the final has come after a very long wait. And, as you can well imagine, we'll be there to get the win and nothing else."
No one can call Lille’s aspirations outlandish. The club is now back in form after a difficult month of April where they were momentarily knocked off the top spot in the league standings by Marseille. Furthermore, the Lillois are in great scoring form; in
the last three league games, Rudi Garcia’s charges have scored eight goals and have conceded just once. Furthermore, strength in depth on their bench has allowed Lille to stay consistent both in the league and in the Cup.
Team News
Paris Saint-Germain
Midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcos-c23772 Cearà has an injury cloud hanging over him, which means that Kombouare might use centre-back
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Eden-Hazard-c11863.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lille-OSC-c39800
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ludovic-Obraniak-c22623 is certain to be Balmont’s replacement. However, Garcia is also looking to give 21-year-old Senegalese talent, Idrissa Gueye, a chance in
the final despite his relative inexperience at the top level.
Probable starting XI
PSG
Coupet; Ceara, Armand (or Z. Camara), Sakho, Tiéné; Makelele (c), Chantôme; Giuly, Bodmer, Nene; Erding (or Hoarau)
Lille
Landreau; Debuchy, Rami, Chedjou, Béria; Gueye, Mavuba (c), Cabaye; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Moussa-Sow-c26939, E. Hazard
Prediction
Lille’s attacking prowess might be too much for Les Parisiens but the match is bound to be a tight affair. However, Lille might edge out their opponents, who have the tendency to concede easy goals at the death, with a slender 1-0 score line.
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