Cannes, a National 2 club, is gearing up for a thrilling encounter against Ligue 1 side Reims on Wednesday evening, April 2, 2025, at 9 PM, with hopes of qualifying for the Coupe de France final, reminiscent of Calais's historic run in 2000. Despite their primary focus on securing promotion to National, Cannes has been making waves in the Coupe de France, showcasing an admirable journey fueled by the collective effort of the club.
Félicien Laborde, the general manager, attributes this remarkable run to the "involvement of the whole club family," highlighting the significant impact of key personalities both on the field and on the sidelines. Coach Damien Ott, a 59-year-old former gym teacher who previously served as Laurent Batlles' assistant at Troyes from 2019 to 2021, is steering the ship with a unique vision for the team's play. His philosophy, inspired by Jürgen Klopp, emphasizes an offensive style that aims to score two goals per match, a strategy that has been instrumental in their current success.
Ott was appointed in October 2024 after a rocky start that saw the team struggle through seven winless matches. Since then, Cannes has gone on an impressive unbeaten streak of 20 matches, culminating in their qualification for the Coupe de France semi-final. "Cannes breaks the codes, and we love that," Ott stated, expressing his enthusiasm for the exhilarating style of play that excites both players and staff alike.
As the team prepares to face Reims, Ott acknowledges that his career is more behind him than ahead, yet he has successfully implemented his ideas. "If it's just to hand out bibs and do drills, there's no point in coaching," he remarked. His singular approach has fostered a team environment where players can thrive creatively. "When the team plays as I want, it brings immense pleasure," he added.
Cheikh Ndoye, the team's 39-year-old captain and a former finalist in the Coupe with Angers in 2017, appreciates Ott's pressure-free coaching style. Ndoye's leadership is vital, providing confidence to his teammates as they prepare for the challenge ahead. "He is relaxed and liberated, which gives a lot of confidence to the players," Ndoye said, reinforcing the importance of a positive mindset as they approach this crucial match.
The squad also boasts talents like Julien Domingues, who has emerged as a key player in the tournament, scoring eleven goals in nine matches, including stunning strikes like his bicycle kick against Dives-Cabourg. His fellow attacker, Chafik Abbas, is also drawing attention for his skillful dribbling and creativity on the field. Ott emphasizes that players must feel confident to express themselves fully, which ultimately leads to their development and success.
As the clock ticks down to the match against Reims, the atmosphere is electric. Ndoye urges his teammates to enjoy the moment without pressure while maintaining focus on their technical performance. With the stakes high, Cannes aims not only to advance but to make history by reaching the final, a feat last achieved in 1932.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the competition, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has already secured their spot in the Coupe de France final with a commanding 4-2 victory over Dunkerque. The match, played on April 1, 2025, saw Dunkerque take an early lead with goals from Sasso and Al-Saad, putting PSG on the back foot. However, the Parisians rallied, with Dembélé scoring twice, along with contributions from Marquinhos and Désiré Doué to complete the comeback.
PSG's victory sets the stage for an intriguing final on May 24, 2025, where they will face either Cannes or Reims. The stakes couldn't be higher, as the Parisians aim for their 16th Coupe de France title. With the match against Cannes looming, the pressure is on Reims to deliver a strong performance and keep their dreams alive.
As the day of the match approaches, the excitement builds. Fans are eagerly anticipating what could be a historic night for Cannes, as they seek to carve their name into the annals of Coupe de France history. Will they rise to the occasion and replicate the magic of Calais in 2000? Only time will tell as the teams prepare to clash in this highly anticipated showdown.
