Rennes eliminated Marseille in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France on Sunday January 21, winning a thrilling penalty shootout 9-8, after a match which ended with a draw (1-1). Rennes goalkeeper Gauthier Gallon, usual understudy for Steve Mandanda, started on Sunday evening, perhaps won the day for his team during the fateful session by provoking Marseille captain Samuel Gigot, who sent his shot over the bar, precipitating the elimination of his team (9 shots on goal to 8).
Jordan Veretout struck first, volleying a cross from Jonathan Clauss which bounced through the Rennes defense (29th). But Rennes finished the first period very well and could have equalized before the break. On the penalty obtained by Arnaud Kalimuendo at the end of stoppage time, Benjamin Bourigeaud, although a specialist in the exercise, came up against Pau Lopez, who even blocked the Rennes captain’s recovery.
The Rouge et Noir were not discouraged and dominated the start of the second half, multiplying the scoring opportunities. Arnaud Kalimuendo, in very good shape during the last matches, missed an unmissable goal, by uncrossing his shot too far from close range (48th). Five minutes later, Martin Terrier confirmed Rennes’ domination by cutting the corner hit by Bourigeaud at the near post, who thus made up for his failure in the first period.
The rest was more balanced, with few opportunities. Warmed Omari saved Rennes by blocking a shot in the area from Vitinha at the start of added time.
Strasbourg, Lille and Le Havre pass
In the other matches of the evening, Ligue 1 residents Reims and Toulouse, the defending champion, were also both eliminated on penalties, at Sochaux and Rouen, two National teams. After Nantes, Saturday against Laval, there are four elite teams eliminated during these round of 32 matches.
Before the penalties, Toulouse had equalized at 3-3 through their defender Rasmus Nicolaisen in added time in Rouen. Rouen finally won 12 shots on goal to 11, with one last Toulouse shot missed by Gabriel Suazo.
In the Doubs, the young team of Sochaux and Reims, 6th in Ligue 1, drew 2-2 at the end of regulation time, before the 4th of National made the difference in the fateful session (5 shots on goal at 4) after a last failure from Rémois Joseph Okumu.
In the other matches, the logic was generally respected, except for another surprise from Saint-Priest, where the Petit Poucet of National 3 (the equivalent of a division 5) eliminated the National 2 team from Romorantin (4-1).
In the meeting between elite teams, Strasbourg clearly won 3-1 on the Clermont field. Lille, for its part, qualified in pain against Racing CF, a National 2 team, in Chambly (Oise) 1-0. Le Havre also, with the same score, at Châteauroux, National team.
