Coupe de France | Semi-Finals

Apr 1, 2025 at 8.10pm UK

Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Dunkerque vs PSG

Match preview

In what has become a routine affair, PSG extended their unbeaten run in French competition to 35 matches and their winning streak to 10 games with a 6-1 thrashing of Saint-Etienne last time out.

The emphatic victory maintained Luis Enrique's side's 21-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 with seven games remaining, and they are now just one point away from a fourth successive league title.

With the job virtually done, the Parisians are on course for another clean sweep of domestic silverware, having already lifted the Super Cup in January after completing the domestic double last season.

Les Parisiens won a record-extending 15th Coupe de France title last season by beating Lyon in the final, and their defence has been relatively smooth, apart from a nail-biting last-64 clash in which they needed penalties to see off Lens.

Since then, PSG have eased past Espaly 4-2 in the round of 32, dispatched third-tier side Le Mans 2-0 in the last 16 and thrashed fourth-tier Stade Briochin 7-0 to book their place in the semi-finals.

For second-tier Dunkerque, the dream of lighting up the bright lights of the Stade de France on 24 May remains very much alive after a string of giant-killing performances saw them reach this stage for the first time in their history.

While they faced their fair share of lower-league opponents in the early stages of their campaign, their sternest tests came in the last two rounds against Europe-chasing Ligue 1 sides, but they stood firm, edging out Lille on penalties before staging a stunning comeback to knock out Brest.

Trailing 2-1, the Seasiders were lifted by unlikely goalscorers, with defender Vincent Sasso's 65th-minute strike setting the scene before fellow centre-back Opa Sangante, who came on as a substitute, completed the turnaround with a brace in a 26-minute cameo.

Although Luis Castro's men will be hoping for another shock, their recent form has been less than inspiring, with three consecutive Ligue 2 defeats, most recently a 2-0 loss to Bastia last Friday.

Recent Performance

Dunkerque Coupe de France form:WWWWWW

Dunkerque form (all competitions):WWWLLL

Paris Saint-Germain Coupe de France form:WWWW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):WLWWWW

Team News

With PSG's depth and versatility in all positions, Enrique has never hesitated to rotate his squad, as was evident in their last outing.

The in-form Ousmane Dembele came off the bench but featured alongside Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe and Ibrahim Mbaye, with several of them expected to start on Tuesday.

Captain Marquinhos was an unused substitute, while Achraf Hakimi was rested as a precaution, although he has since returned to training, and both are in contention for a starting berth.

First-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was rested to make way for Matvei Safonov, but the Italian is likely to return between the sticks despite having started PSG's last three Coupe de France campaigns.

On the injury front, third-choice goalkeeper Arnau Tenas and creative midfielder Lee Kang-in remain sidelined as they continue to recover.

For Dunkerque, Ewen Jaouen is expected to reclaim his place in goal after starting their last five games in the competition.

Interestingly, Sangante's brace against Brest made him the club's top scorer in the tournament, but this time around the attacking burden will fall mainly on the shoulders of Naatan Skytta, Enzo Bardeli, Yacine Bammou and Gaetan Courtet, who have combined for 26 goals in Ligue 2 and the French Cup.

Possible starting lineup

Dunkerque possible starting lineup:

Jaouen; Abner, Sasso, Sangante, Georgen; Raghouber; Rivera, Bardeli, Skytta, Bammou; Courtet

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Mendes, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Hakimi; Neves, Ruiz, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Barcola