Our prediction for this Coupe de France match:
David faces Goliath at Parc des Sports in Annecy as GFA 74 and Monaco go head to head in the Coupe de France semis. The lower-league side set up a meeting with the Ligue 1 outfit by beating Limonest, Saint-Priest, Prix-les-Mezieres, Annecy, Le Puy Foot, and Toulouse, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in Saturday’s football match.
Les Rouges et Blancs are enjoying a very successful season, and given their attacking potential, anything but a routine away win would be a major surprise. Both Pellegri and Geubbels are banned for the visitors, but Croatian tactician Niko Kovac has a number of high-profile footballers to choose from. Former Sevilla attacker Wissam Ben Yedder is widely expected to lead the line for the visiting team against GFA74. The 30-year-old has already netted 20 goals in all competitions this season.
Highlighted Player (Djibril Sidibé):
Born in Troyes, Djibril Sidibe made his first football steps at his hometown club. Having excelled throughout the youth ranks, Sidibe was rewarded with his professional debut in 2010. Two years later he moved to Lille where he established himself as one of the biggest prospects in French football.
A 2016 move to Ligue 1 giants Monaco came as a reward for his impressive qualities. Sidibe is a solid right-back who is great at picking out passes, especially with crosses. A determined individual, Sidibe does not easily get caught out in a wide space. His impressive footwork make him a difficult player to play against going forward which he has a knack for.
Monaco are expected to be another stepping stone in his career and it won’t be too long before the World Cup winning French international has made a move to one of Europe’s top sides.
Highlighted Team (Monaco):
Though based in Monaco, Les Rouges et Blances – as they are commonly referred to – play their games in the French football league system. Members of the top tier Ligue 1, Monaco play their home matches at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille in front of 18,500 people. The Principality club boasts a turbulent history, which saw Monaco reach the highest heights of both domestic and international scene, but also get relegated to the amateur leagues at the very beginnings and to Ligue 2 in 2010-11 season.
The following year AS Monaco were acquired by the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, whose heavy investments turned the Principality club into one of the biggest spenders in Europe in 2013 and reestablishing its place among Europe’s top clubs.
AS Monaco have had notable European results in the modern football era having been runners-up in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1992 and the UEFA Champions League in 2004. One of the most successful clubs in France AS Monaco have so far won seven league titles and five Coupe de France trophies.