This Wednesday, an exciting Coupe de France encounter will see National 3 side Espaly host the mighty Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Marcel-Michelin Stadium in Auvergne. The semi-professional team, Espaly, will enjoy a historic moment as they face the French giants, who are looking to secure their place in the Round of 16.
PSG: Aiming for Another Coupe de France Triumph
Paris Saint-Germain, record holders for the most Coupe de France titles (15), are the overwhelming favorites heading into this clash. Luis Enrique's side will be eager to build on their impressive 1-0 victory over RC Lens in the previous round. With a busy schedule ahead, PSG will look to advance in the competition without taking unnecessary risks. However, it’s likely that some key players, including Ousmane Dembélé, will be rested, considering PSG’s upcoming Ligue 1 clash with RC Lens and their UEFA Champions League showdown with Manchester City just around the corner.
Espaly: Dreaming of an Upset
Espaly’s players enter this match with everything to gain and the hope of causing a major upset. After pulling off an impressive victory over Dijon in the last round—advancing on penalties—the National 3 team will be looking to replicate that giant-killing feat. For the players of Espaly, this is an opportunity to make history and showcase their talent against one of the best teams in Europe. Despite being underdogs, they will look to make the most of this rare opportunity.
Expected Lineups and Key Players
Espaly’s squad is fully fit and ready to give PSG a tough challenge. The expected lineup is as follows:
Espaly XI: Etienne; Allaigre, Bendriss, Curt, Uzun, Mezaber; Russo, Portal, Ait Boulaalam, Gjeçi; Fournel.
As for PSG, Luis Enrique is expected to rotate his squad due to the upcoming matches in Ligue 1 and the Champions League. This may result in some fringe players getting a rare chance to start, including Marco Asensio, who has seen limited minutes this season.
PSG XI: Safonov; Zague, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Hernandez; Neves, Ruiz, Mayulu; Asensio, Ramos, Doué.
Prediction: PSG Set for Comfortable Victory
While Espaly’s players will give their all in this historic match, the sheer difference in quality between the two teams is undeniable. PSG’s squad depth and experience should see them cruise through to the next round. However, given their rotation, it is unlikely that the scoreline will be as heavy as PSG's previous Coupe de France victories. A comfortable 3-0 or 4-0 win for the Parisians is expected, but Espaly could still surprise with a spirited performance.
