Coupe de France: PSG & Rennes face off for final berth

Following Lyon’s progression to the Coupe de France final last night after beating Ligue 2 BKT strugglers Valenciennes (3-0), it’s now the turn of Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennais to see who will complete the line-up for May’s final at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Les Parisiens will be hoping to secure a chance to secure a 15th Coupe de France trophy, whilst Rennes are hoping to re-create their 2019 success in the tournament, when they won against PSG on penalties (6-5) following a 2-2 draw at the Stade de France in the final.

PSG will go into the game off the back of a vital win in Le Classique against Olympique de Marseille (2-0), pouncing twice with goals from Portugal duo Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos despite being down to ten men. Luis Enrique’s side beat Orléans, Brest, and OGC Nice on their way to the semi-final stage.

Rennes’ hopes of securing European football took a hit last Sunday with a loss to Strasbourg (2-0), coming a month after being knocked out of the Europa League by AC Milan. Les Rouge et Noir do still have a chance of lifting a trophy this season, which also subsequently means a possibility of European football next season.

Luis Enrique urges his PSG players to ‘give something extra’ for spot in final

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique was relishing the chance to take his side to the Coupe de France final, but warned that his players need to be motivated to face a tricky Rennes side in the semi-final. “We need to give something extra to play in a Coupe de France final. It’s motivating and attractive to feel that with the players. It’s time to get that extra bit of motivation.”

Les Parisiens haven’t won the Coupe de France since 2021, with FC Nantes and Toulouse lifting France’s oldest cup competition in the meantime. “It’s a very powerful incentive and it’s more than enough for us to see a very good version of our team,’ said Enrique on the challenge, adding “It could be positive, it’s a 90-minute match, with no extra-time. That means it could be like a UEFA Champions League return leg, when you’re playing for qualification.”

PSG – Rennes: probable line-ups

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pereira, Beraldo, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz, Dembele; Mbappe, Muani

Stade Rennais: Mandanda; G Doue, Wooh, Theate, Omari; Matusiwa, Santamaria, Bourigeaud; Gouiri, Terrier; Kalimuendo