Sensation at the stadium at Robert Diochon! Rouen qualified for the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France by eliminating (1-1, 6-5 on penalties) Monaco, five times winner of the Coupe de France. And what a great match the Rouennais offered against the Monegasques, jostled for 90 minutes, despite the two divisions which separate them. To the point of excluding the 5th in Ligue 1 from the competition.
After being led during the penalty shootout, the 8th in National reversed the trend by taking advantage of the failure of the young Monegasque Akliouche. It is therefore he who will welcome Valenciennes, bottom of Ligue 2, in the quarter-final at the end of the month (date to be determined).
In the pouring rain of this Thursday evening in Seine-Maritime, Adi Hütter’s players were quickly surprised to discover a solid, playful and enterprising team, led in attack by Loppy and Belkaid in particular. This also took the upper hand in the first period, as evidenced by the strike from Abdelmoula (19th) or the double Loppy-Mion opportunity, saved by the post, then Salisu on the Monegasque goal line (23rd).
And it was almost against the flow of play that Balogun, well placed in orbit by Youssouf Fofana in the center, provoked and transformed a penalty in favor of Monaco (0-1, 35th). But just before the break, Maxime d’Ornano’s players were rewarded for their efforts, captain Bassin equalizing on a serve from Sanson in the area, following a free kick (1-1, 45th + 5) .
In the second period, FC Rouen gradually made its mark physically, and saw Golovin and Balogun get closer to the target, but without ever disarming. Perhaps the Normans remembered their exploit in the round of 16 against the defending champion, Toulouse (3-3 and… 12-11 on penalties). Like Salisu in the first period, Maripan saved his side on his line from an attempt by Sy (56th). Before the outcome.
Monday evening, on the Orléans lawn, it will be a return to ordinary for FC Rouen, it will be a return to ordinary, for the 20th day of National. But at the end of the month, a new evening of celebration awaits him.
