Amateur side ASS Still Mutzig can cause a gigantic upset on Sunday when they battle Reims at the Coupe de France, with that round of 64 clash occurring at Parc des Sports.
Mutzig defeated Jeunesse Evolution 4-1 to advance into this stage of the competition, while the Champagne club drew Monaco 0-0 in their previous Ligue 1 affair.
Match preview
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It has been quite the ride for the small club from Alsace, who have made the round of 64 at the Coupe de France for the first time in their history.
Luck was on their side in their first match at this tournament as an own-goal by Aristode Joe Obosso enabled them to defeat Illkirch Graffenstad 1-0.
At the end of November, though, they were a lot more decisive, scoring three times in the opening half versus Jeunesse Evolution in what was a comfortable victory.
Jacky Dugueperoux knows that his side can achieve the unthinkable on Sunday, and they should be well rested, with their last competitive fixture being that Coupe de France victory over Jeunesse.
The last time this club competed in this tournament (1976), they nearly caused a huge surprise, losing on penalties versus top-flight side Lens in the opening round.
So far in their two matches played at the Coupe de France this season, Mutzig have yet to concede a goal in the second half, while netting one themselves.
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For a side with so many high-quality chance creators, Reims have struggled domestically in the attacking third over the past few weeks.
Luka Elsner's men have gone goalless in three successive Ligue 1 contests, winning just one of their previous eight matches in that competition (3-0 at Le Havre).
At the same time, they are unbeaten in their last two top-flight encounters away from home without a goal conceded over that stretch.
Stade de Reims have not lost a Coupe de France affair in this phase of the competition since Valenciennes upset them 4-3 in 2021 at Stade Auguste-Delaune.
A victory for them this weekend would mark only the second time this century that they make it to at least the round of 32 at the Coupe de France on consecutive occasions.
Reims have faced Mutzig once before in this competition, in 1973, when a Delio Onnis strike gave Les rouges et blancs a narrow 1-0 triumph.
Team News
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Only one change was made to the Mutzig starting 11 against Jeunesse, with Lucas Bodein coming into the lineup in place of Lucas Meyer.
In their previous Coupe de France encounter, Thomas Schall scored a hat trick, and Florian Loos, his partner in the attack, netted the other goal.
On the opposite side, Reims will be missing Reda Khadra due to a cruciate ligament injury, Mohamed Daramy is questionable with a knee issue, while Abdoul Kone and Maxime Busi could be game-time decisions because of groin strains.
That may be the case for Joseph Okumu, who is also dealing with a groin issue, while Valentin Atangana is eligible to play despite accumulating his share of yellow cards in Ligue 1, which will lead to a suspension in that competition.
ASS Still Mutzig possible starting lineup:
C. Bertaux; Ar. Schaller, Di Palo, Au. Schaller, Bahl; G. Bertaux, Charlier, Haussmann, Welschinger; Schall, Loos
Reims possible starting lineup:
Olliero; Buta, Kipre, Agbadou, Akieme; Teuma, Fofana, Moscardo; Diakhon, Munetsi; Salama
We say: ASS Still Mutzig 0-3 Reims
While they have not lit up the scoresheet lately, Reims still have their share of quality attacking players to call upon, and we believe their depth will eventually overwhelm Mutzig in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
