Monaco boss Thierry Henry was left scratching his head after the 3-1 capitulation to FC Metz; Toulouse boss Alain Casanova was bemused after the wild win over Reims that saw his side reach the last 32.
Tuesday, 22 January 2019
Coupe de France, round of 32
Stade Louis II, Monaco
AS Monaco 1 – 3 FC Metz 
Thierry Henry (AS Monaco coach): “It’s a huge disappointment. We created a lot of chances and crosses and missed a host of chances in the six-yard box. We need to be united, pull together and push forward with aggression. I don’t know whether the players realise what is happening. We’re in a critical situation and we have to try to save ourselves.”
Vincent Hognon (FC Metz assistant coach): “It’s a huge achievement, even though Monaco are low on confidence right now. It was the top side in Ligue 2 versos the 19th in Ligue 1, and I underlined that for the players before the match. We had to be patient, but we ended up scoring three goals, even though things were tough at times. We never doubted ourselves.”
Le Stadium, Toulouse
Toulouse FC 4 – 4 Stade de Reims 
– Toulouse won 4-3 on penalties
Alain Casanova (Toulouse FC coach): “I haven’t experienced many matches like that in my career [smiles]. I’m very proud that the team went after this qualification despite the fact that they equalised three times. Hopefully this was a win that unites the squad, as the lads showed a never-say-die attitude even though it’s no fun to concede four goals at home. It was a real cup match and when it’s you smiling at the end, it’s a magnificent feeling. We all want to go as far as we can in the competition.
David Guion (Stade de Reims coach): “We dominated the first half and going behind wasn’t really deserved. But we levelled matters three times and that showed our strength of character. But when you’re 4-3 up away from home in the Coupe de France with three minutes to go, you should be able to win it. It’s tough to accept that we gave so much only to come away empty-handed.”
Stade Marcel-Picot, Nancy
AS Nancy Lorraine 1 – 2 EA Guingamp 
Alain Perrin (AS Nancy Lorraine coach): “I’m satisfied overall with this performance against a top-flight side. We tried to resist the physical pressure from Guingamp and we never gave up. We even had chance to win it near the end as we showed more drive than Guingamp.”
Jocelyn Gourvennec (EA Guingamp coach): “Was I worried? No! I never doubted my team. They played a solid match and were very rigorous even though Nancy took the upper hand for periods in each half. I just wished my team would make the break earlier as we were never really safe. And we did get caught when they equalised. Luckily we got back on top in extra time.”
Stade Louis-Michel, Sète
FC Sète 0 – 1 LOSC 
Christophe Galtier (LOSC coach): “It was a tough match our opponents made it difficult with some quality football. Sète played the match they needed to and we never really responded to what they imposed on us. We were very fortunate to qualify. My players weren’t complacent; it’s just that my youngsters are new to this kind of match and a lot of them under-performed. We could have been eliminated.”
Nicolas Guibal (FC Sète coach): “It was a huge moment and I’m very proud of the match my lads played. Lille, with their amazing attack, only had two big chances, but they were so clinical! Still, we caused them to doubt themselves and that was great for the fans.”
Be the first to comment