PSG will kick off their quest for a third successive Coupe de France title when they travel to Vendee Fontenay on Saturday.
PSG open their Coupe de France campaign this Saturday, traveling to Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes to face Vendee Fontenay, a fifth-tier French club who are on a historic journey in the competition. Fontenay, who pulled off an impressive 4-1 victory over Chateauroux in the fourth round, are aiming to make a dream run in the Coupe de France, but they will be up against the giants of French football in PSG, who are the defending champions.
This marks one of the biggest matches in Vendee Fontenay’s history. The club has had a mix of dominant and narrow results in the tournament, with two of their last three Coupe de France wins coming by a combined score of 9-1. However, they have also survived a couple of penalty shootouts, showcasing their resilience under pressure.
Vendee Fontenay will enter this fixture with confidence, especially given their solid home form, having conceded only one goal in the competition so far. Their most recent home defeat came in a Championnat National 3 fixture, but they have been near-impervious in this competition.
For the home side, this clash is a massive challenge, but one that will fuel their dreams of causing an upset, akin to their near-miss in 2001 when they were minutes away from defeating Lyon in a Coupe de France match, only to lose on penalties. If they manage to defeat PSG, they will progress to the round of 32 for the first time since 2013, a remarkable achievement for a club from the fifth tier of French football.
On the other hand, PSG come into the match with their sights set on a third consecutive Coupe de France title. Luis Enrique’s side have enjoyed a successful start to the season, although they are currently second in Ligue 1, one point behind Lens.
Fresh off their victory in the Intercontinental Cup, where they triumphed over Flamengo on penalties following a 1-1 draw, PSG are unbeaten in their last four matches. The Parisians are looking to extend their dominance in the Coupe de France, where they have won 12 straight matches, with their last defeat coming in 1990 at Valenciennes.
While PSG have been dominant in the competition in recent years, the Coupe de France has not always been smooth sailing for the reigning champions. Last season, they were pushed to the brink in the opening round, narrowly edging out Lens on penalties, and they came from behind late to defeat lower-tier side Espaly 4-2.
Despite these challenges, PSG’s pedigree and quality should make them clear favourites to progress past Fontenay. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Vendee Fontenay
Vendee Fontenay approach their Coupe de France tie against PSG with a squad that has been solid throughout the competition so far. Between the third and fourth rounds, the hosts made a tactical change to their lineup, with Nathan Fromaget replacing Kerian Ernault in the backline. This switch solidified their defense, and the team has since looked well-organized and resolute.
In their last match, a dramatic 4-1 victory over Chateauroux, Fontenay showed great resilience, coming from behind to secure the win. Fode Diawara was the star of the show, netting a brace, while Enzo Renou and Mehdi Belbachir also got on the scoresheet.
Fontenay’s setup has been built on strong team cohesion and work rate, and they will need to rely on that collective spirit against a much stronger PSG side. While there are no significant injury or suspension concerns ahead of this game, they will miss the individual quality of their key players if they fail to execute their game plan effectively.
From a tactical perspective, Fontenay are expected to line up in a 3-4-3 formation, aiming to be compact defensively while using the width of the pitch to their advantage. The formation will see Noah Renou start in goal, tasked with keeping out the PSG attack. The defensive trio should include Kerian Ernault on the right, Antonin Moisdon centrally, and Yanis Leriche on the left, providing balance and coverage across the backline.
In midfield, Fontenay will deploy two central players, with Mehdi Belbachir and David Vinet offering both defensive support and the ability to transition into attack, while Maxime Bisleau will provide width and crossing from the left wing-back position and Thomas Bremond on the right. The attacking trio will see Namory Keita, Joey Millimono, and Fode Diawara leading the charge, with Diawara having the potential to be the main threat up front.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Renou; Ernault, Moisdon, Leriche; Bremond, Vinet, Belbachir, Bisleau; Keita, Millimono, Diawara
PSG
Paris Saint-Germain head into their Coupe de France tie against Fontenay with some injury and fitness concerns to manage. Key right-back Achraf Hakimi will miss out due to an ankle injury, which could leave a gap in PSG’s defensive setup.
However, Ousmane Dembele has returned to action after recovering from an illness and featured as a substitute in PSG’s Intercontinental Cup final against Flamengo on Wednesday, coming on for Desire Doue. While Dembele’s return adds depth to the attacking options, his match sharpness could still be a factor after his absence.
In terms of positive news, PSG’s 2-0 win over Flamengo highlighted Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s growing influence, as he scored the only goal of the match. Goalkeeper Matvey Safonov was the hero of the final, saving four penalties in a dramatic shootout, overshadowing misses from both Dembele and Bradley Barcola. This win, particularly Safonov’s standout performance, should give PSG a confidence boost heading into this match.
PSG are expected to field a 4-3-3 formation against Fontenay, relying on their depth and talent to navigate this Coupe de France tie. Matvey Safonov is in gowl with the duo of Noham Kamara and Illia Zabarnyi at the centre-back positions, offering both stability and composure. Left-back Lucas Beraldo should complete the defensive line, tasked with providing width and joining the attack when needed.
In midfield, Joao Neves and Senny Mayulu are expected to play in deeper roles, with Neves orchestrating play from the base of midfield and Mayulu adding energy and defensive cover. Fabian Ruiz should play as an advanced central midfielder, linking the play and supporting the attacking trio.
Up front, PSG’s attack will feature Ibrahim Mbaye on the right wing, Goncalo Ramos through the middle, and Quentin Ndjantou on the left, with the trio providing pace, creativity, and finishing ability in a potent front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Safonov; Zaire-Emery, Kamara, Zabarnyi, Berlado; Mayulu, Neves, Ruiz; Mbaye, Ramos, Ndjantou
Key Stats
- PSG have won the Coupe de France a record 16 times, with their most recent victory coming last season, where they defeated Reims 3-0 in the final.
- Fontenay are on a strong run in the Coupe de France, winning their last two matches by a combined score of 9-1.
- PSG have won their last nine Coupe de France matches away from home, with their last defeat in the competition coming in 2023 against Marseille (1-0) in the Round of 16.
- Fontenay have only conceded one goal in their last three home games in the Coupe de France this season.
- PSG are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Goncalo Ramos
Ramos will be a key figure for PSG in their Coupe de France clash against Fontenay. The Portuguese forward has been a consistent threat for PSG, with his movement, finishing ability, and intelligence in the final third. Ramos has the physicality and technical quality to cause problems for lower-league defenses, and his ability to link up play while scoring goals makes him vital for PSG in these cup competitions.
After featuring prominently in PSG’s attacking setup, Ramos will be eager to add to his tally and continue his form in the Coupe de France. His versatility in playing across the front line gives PSG tactical flexibility, making him a constant danger for Fontenay’s defenders. If PSG are to progress comfortably, much will depend on Ramos’ ability to exploit space and convert chances in this knockout tie.
Prediction
Vendee Fontenay 0-3 PSG
While Vendee Fontenay will give everything they have in front of their home crowd, PSG’s superior quality and depth should make the difference in this encounter. With players like Goncalo Ramos leading the attack, PSG should have too much firepower for the fifth-tier side. Expect PSG to control the game and secure a comfortable win, progressing to the next round with relative ease.
