Marseille: Bring On Lyon In The Coupe De France

The draw for the Coupe de France threw up a number of interesting possibilities when it was made on Sunday afternoon, yet none were so obviously eye-catching as the potential clash between two of last season’s top three sides, as Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille were matched against each other.

Such a mouth-watering clash was nearly snatched away by a determined Besançon side, who threatened to upset les Phocéens as they grabbed an unexpected lead with less than 25 minutes remaining. But Taye Taiwo saved Marseille before the Ligue 1 side were victorious in a high-quality penalty shoot-out.

OM may have safely negotiated their passage through to the last 32 but Lyon have yet to oust Concarneau of the fifth flight after their match, which was scheduled for Saturday evening, was postponed.

Jose Anigo, the sporting director with the Provence club, has explained that he would rather tackle the Ligue 1 giants than face another awkward trip to play lower league minnows. “Playing against a team of amateurs, as we saw last year against Carquefou [who knocked Marseille out], is difficult because we have everything to lose,” he is quoted on Foot01 as having stated. “In Lyon, we would be the outsiders and we’ve actually had some success at the Stade Gerland in recent years.”

Indeed, OM have knocked Lyon, who are attempting to regain their Coupe de France crown, out of the competition on each of the last two occasions the sides have met, and will aim for three-in-a-row should les Gones win their rearranged fixture in Brittany.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com