Guingamp Eye Coupe de France Final as Rennes Hope for All-Breton Showdown
En Avant Guingamp are set to host AS Monaco in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France this Wednesday at the atmospheric Stade du Roudourou, as the Breton club looks to defy its league struggles and chase a place in the final.
Currently hovering near the relegation zone in Ligue 1, Guingamp are hoping a cup run can provide both a morale boost and a moment of glory in an otherwise difficult season. Should they overcome Monaco, Jocelyn Gourvennec’s side would advance to their third Coupe de France final — where Stade Rennais await.
The prospect of an all-Breton final has excited fans and players alike. Rennes midfielder Jean II Makoun is particularly eager for a reunion with Guingamp — and the chance to avenge Rennes’ 2009 final defeat.
“We want Guingamp, for a possible revenge,” said the Cameroonian international during an appearance on Luis Attaque. “People also say it would be good for the region to have two Breton clubs in the final. But the important thing is to win it.”
Makoun, a veteran of the Indomitable Lions, expressed satisfaction with Rennes’ recent form, including their 2-1 win over Angers that secured their place in the final. After a season marked by inconsistency and defensive frailty, the midfielder believes his team is finally finding stability at the right time.
“At the moment, we’re not too bad. We’ve managed to right the ship in the last few matches,” he told RMC. “We were worried because we weren’t very good in our game, we were conceding a lot of goals. This season, we had trouble stringing together two wins in a row. Everyone saw us going down because we weren’t efficient.”
A Guingamp victory would set up a tantalising derby at the Stade de France — a symbolic clash between two proud Breton sides and a rare chance for regional football to take centre stage on the national stage.
Monaco, however, will pose a stern challenge. Despite their ambitions in Ligue 1 and Europe, they remain determined to add domestic silverware to their season. Guingamp, for their part, will be banking on the magic of the cup — and the fervour of their home support — to carry them through.
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