Coupe de France | Round of 16

Feb 5, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stade de la Meinau

Strasbourg vs Angers

Match preview

Strasbourg reached this stage of the competition after a comfortable 3-0 win over RC Calais and a penalty shoot-out victory over Thaon in the last 32.

Having taken a two-goal lead before the half-hour mark thanks to a Rayane Messi brace, the Blue and Whites looked set for another emphatic cup triumph, only to see their advantage slip away at half-time and, with the score level at 2-2 after 120 minutes, Le Racing held their nerve in the shootout, converting all five of their spot-kicks to triumph 5-3.

This midweek, the Alsatians will be hoping to avoid the fate of the last two seasons, when they went out on penalties - first to Wednesday's visitors and then to Lyon in last season's quarter-finals.

If they are to progress beyond this stage for the second successive season, Strasbourg will have to overcome their struggles against top-flight opposition, having been knocked out in each of the last six seasons.

Liam Rosenior's side go into the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Rennes that ended their eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Angers, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw at Le Havre on Sunday, ending a two-match winless streak that had seen them win five in a row.

That run included their two cup encounters this season - a 1-0 win over Bobigny before a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Quevilly to reach this stage of the competition.

It is the fifth time in nine seasons that Angers have reached the last 16, although Les Scoistes have only progressed twice in the last eight.

Aware of the dangers of relying on luck again after their last cup meeting with the hosts ended in a goalless draw, which they won on penalties, Les Scoïstes will be looking to find the back of the net this time around, having failed to score in just two of the last eight seasons.

The Black and Whites will be buoyed by their improved form away from home, having won five of their last eight in all competitions after a four-match winless run.

Recent Performance

Strasbourg Coupe de France form:WW

Strasbourg form (all competitions):WWWDWL

Angers Coupe de France form:WW

Angers form (all competitions):WWWWLD

Team News

Strasbourg are still without long-term absentees Thomas Delaine (knee) , while Dilane Bakwa could miss a third successive game with a sprained knee.

Karl-Johan Johnsson has been in goal in recent matches and could be back between the sticks for this fixture.

The visitors will be without Bamba Dieng, Carlens Arcus and Sidiki Cherif through injury, with the trio expected to return later this month.

Like the hosts, Angers could make changes in goal, with Melvin Zinga likely to return after starting in the last two legs, while Esteban Lepaul could retain his place up front.

Possible starting lineup

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Johnson; Doue, Sarr, Doukoure, Sobol; Diarra, Santos; Lemarechal, Ouattara, Nanasi; Emegha

Angers possible starting lineup:

Zinga; Rao-Lisoa, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin; Aholou, Belkebla; Allevinah, Abdelli, Ferhat; Lepaul