French Cup. The En Avant Guingamp is eagerly awaited in Saint-Malo
Almost twelve years later, En Avant Guingamp will cross paths with US Saint-Malo, its Breton neighbor, on Saturday November 18 (6 p.m.) on the Marville lawn, during the 128th final of the Coupe de France edition 2023-2024.
During this period of international break, the EAG will therefore enter the fray during the 7th round. The double winner of this competition (2009 and 2014) will challenge the Malouins, who play two divisions lower, in National 2.
Bad series for Saint-Malo
Sixth in National 2, the USSM is only two short lengths behind the runner-up in Pool C, Aubervilliers, to whom the Ille-et-Vilaine team lost last weekend (1- 0). A defeat synonymous with a second setback in a row for Gwen Corbin’s men, already defeated at home last week by another neighbor of 22, Stade Briochin (1-3).
However, at the end of August, it was precisely against En Avant Guingamp that Saint-Malo had started its season perfectly, by winning at Marville against the EAG reserve, thanks to a goal from Raphaël Gerbeaud (1 -0).
A victory which had launched the Malouins, authors of a very good season, with three victories and a draw during the first four days. Twelve years after Thibault Giresse’s double, Saint-Malo dreams of an exploit on its land.
Guingamp must keep in shape
In Saint-Malo, the EAG will notably be deprived of Amine El Ouazzani, its top scorer and best passer, summoned with Olympic Morocco during this international break.
Teddy Bartouche-Selbonne and Babacar Niasse called with their selection, Enzo Basilio should keep the En Avant cages.
In terms of current form, Guingamp is holding the rope with a series of seven games without defeat, extended last weekend on the Rodez pitch (0-0), a nice surprise at the start of the Ligue 2 season.
7th in the championship, three points from the Top 5, Guingamp has not lost since September 23, on the lawn of Laval, the current leader.
Above all, En Avant recorded a seventh match without conceding a single goal, symptomatic of a defense which is regaining solidity, like a well-managed end to the match at the start of last week, during the reception from Auxerre (2-1).
Although between the EAG and the Coupe de France, the story is always special for the Costa Rican team, crowned in 2009 and 2014 against Stade Rennais, the latest editions have been more complicated for technician Stéphane Dumont and his team.
Since a round of 16 match against Olympique Lyonnais in 2019, Guingamp has never passed more than three rounds. After a victory against Auray last year (0-2), the Guingampais lost, after a penalty session, on the Herbiers lawn, a team of… National 2.
Hence the need for the Guingampais to take this meeting seriously, especially as a dynamic must be maintained, with the aim of continuing with a new trip the following week to the Troyes pitch.
This article is originally published on actu.fr
