Coupe de France Heats up: Round of 16 Draw Unveiled
The stage is set for the Coupe de France Round of 16, wiht the draw taking place on Sunday evening, revealing exciting matchups for football fans. World Judo Champion Margaux Pinot and rugby star Henry chavancy, a center for Racing 92, had the honor of selecting the pairings, which will see action on Wednesday, January 15th.
This year’s draw promises thrilling encounters, including three clashes between top-flight clubs. Marseille will face Lille, Brest will take on Nantes, and Reims will battle Monaco. Adding to the excitement, four teams from the National 3 division remain in contention, hoping to pull off upsets against their more illustrious opponents.
FC Bourgoin-Jallieu will host a local derby against Olympique Lyonnais, while ES Thaon will welcome RC Strasbourg to their home ground. FC Espaly awaits the winner of the RC Lens versus Paris Saint-Germain tie, and SU Dives-Cabourg will face Le Puy Foot.
A Look at the Field
The Coupe de France has seen a diverse range of clubs progress through the early rounds.
Ligue 1: 13 teams
ligue 2: 6 or 7 teams
National: 4 teams
National 2: 4 teams
National 3: 4 teams
Regional 1: 1 or 0 teams
The Road to Glory
The Coupe de France journey continues with the Round of 16, followed by the Round of 8 on February 5th, 2025. The quarterfinals are scheduled for February 26th,2025,with the semifinals taking place on April 2nd,2025. The grand finale is set for May 24th, 2025, where one team will be crowned champion.
The Coupe de France continues to captivate fans with it’s unpredictable nature and the opportunity for underdog stories. As the competition intensifies, all eyes will be on the remaining teams as they battle for a place in French football history.
Coupe de France Heating Up: an Interview with Former French International, Bixente Lizarazu
The Coupe de France Round of 16 draw has set the stage for some truly captivating battles. With Ligue 1 giants clashing and underdog clubs sniffing at upset possibilities, the tournament is brimming with potential.to delve deeper into this exciting phase, we sat down with former French international and World Cup winner, Bixente Lizarazu, for his expert insights.
Moderator: Bixente, thanks for joining us. The Coupe de France is known for its unpredictability. What excites you moast about this year’s Round of 16?
Bixente Lizarazu: Ah, the Coupe de france, it’s always a special tournament. This year, the draw has thrown up some delectable matchups. Seeing Marseille take on Lille is a classic encounter, and Brest against Nantes promises to be a tight affair. But I’m also intrigued by the lower-division clubs still in the running. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see a few shocks along the way.
Moderator: You mentioned the possibility of upsets. Do you think any of the National 3 teams have a real chance of progressing?
Bixente Lizarazu: Well,it’s a david vs. Goliath situation, for sure. But sometiems, these smaller clubs can find that extra ounce of magic on thier home turf. Bourgoin-Jallieu hosting Lyon, such as, could be a banana skin for the Ligue 1 side. The pressure will be immense on Lyon, and if Bourgoin-Jallieu can exploit that, anything is possible.
moderator: That’s a captivating point about the pressure. Do you think we’ll see some of the bigger clubs field weakened lineups against these lower-league opponents?
Bixente Lizarazu: It’s a balancing act for those managers. They have league commitments to consider,and rotating the squad is crucial to manage fatigue. But they also know that the Coupe de France is a prestigious competition, and they wouldn’t want to underestimate their opponents.
Moderator: Looking at the overall landscape, with so many ligue 1 teams still involved, who do you see as the potential favorites to lift the trophy?
bixente Lizarazu: Marseille are always a threat, and their squad depth is impressive. PSG, despite their recent struggles, can never be counted out. Monaco and Lyon also have the quality to go all the way. But I wouldn’t discount Nantes either. They’ve been playing some excellent football this season.
Moderator: This tournament has a knack for producing memorable moments and underdog stories. What’s your favorite Coupe de France memory, Bixente?
Bixente lizarazu: Oh, there are so many. Winning it with Bordeaux in 1999 was truly special. But I also remember vividly a game in the later stages where we were losing 2-0 with a few minutes left.We managed to score two goals in stoppage time and then win on penalties. the atmosphere was electric, pure Coupe de France magic!
Moderator: Fantastic! Well, Bixente, thanks so much for sharing your insights. These are certainly exciting times for French football.
Bixente Lizarazu: It’s a pleasure. Vive le football!
What are your predictions for the Coupe de france Round of 16? share your thoughts and join the conversation below!
