FC Toulouse – RC Lens: Lens Pull Off a Thrilling Win to Book a Spot in Coupe de France Final (4-1).

Lens showed the difference in quality against their opponents. Lens’ efficiency in the final third on multiple occasions proved to be their strength. Toulouse, however, struggled to take advantage of the half-chances presented before them. They made it easy for their opponent to defend them. Quality individual performances from the Lens’ players were evident but that was just part of the story.

Tactical analysis and match report by Ebuka Ogoegbunam.

Lens came into this game winning two of their last three games, while Toulouse had no wins within the same span. Both coaches, Pierre Sage of Lens and Carles Martínez, had the chance to book a spot in the Coupe de France final. Lens were favorites and playing in front of their home fans made this a harder task for Toulouse.

The home side set up in a 3-4-2-1 shape on the ball and a 5-2-3 mid-block without it. Robin Risser stayed in goal, with a back three of Malang Sarr, Samson Baidoo, and Ismaëlo Ganiou. Saud Abdulhamid and Matthieu Udol occupied the wingback positions while Adrien Thomasson and Mamadou Sangaré played in the middle. Allan Saint-Maximin, Florian Thauvin, and Odsonne Édouard made up the front three in attack.

Toulouse set up in a 3-4-3 shape. Kjetil Haug was in goal with a defensive line of Rasmus Nicolaisen, Charlie Cresswell and Seny Koumbassa covering him. Pape Demba Diop and Cristian Cásseres Jr paired up together in midfield with Dayann Methalie and Djibril Sidibé holding the width on both flanks. Santiago Hidalgo, Emersonn, and Aron Dønnum led the line for Toulouse.

Pressure . . .