Metz falls in Bergerac, a successful first for Dupraz in Saint-Etienne

The Coupe de France was back this weekend with the 32^es final of the competition and the entry into contention of Ligue 1 clubs. Among these, ESTAC Troyes and FC Metz were eliminated on penalties, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December, while Pascal Dupraz succeeded his first as coach of AS Saint-Etienne.

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  The exploits of the weekend: Bergerac and Nancy at the end of the suspense

In Bergerac (Dordogne), the small Gaston-Simounet stadium experienced, this Sunday, the atmosphere that only the Coupe de France can offer to amateur players who stand up against professionals. At the end of a closed match, the residents of the fourth division (N2), won on penalties against FC Metz (0-0, 5-4 tab), which nevertheless plays in Ligue 1 (18^e).

The Messins were not the first to know the dishonor of losing against smaller than oneself. On Saturday, Troyes lost to AS Nancy-Lorraine. On paper, the duel seemed much less unbalanced, Nancy playing in Ligue 2. Except that the Lorraine ended the meeting eight against eleven, with three expulsions. Outnumbered, Nancy still won, also on penalties (1-1, 4-2 tab).

• The weekend premiere: Dupraz gets away with ASSE

It was a perilous baptism of fire that awaited Pascal Dupraz this Sunday, for his very first match at the head of AS Saint-Etienne. Appointed on the bench of ASSE Tuesday, the new coach of the Greens knew full well that the 32^es final that awaited his team – 20^e and red lantern of Ligue 1 – on the lawn of Lyon-La Duchère (N2) had everything of a trap. In mastery, without necessarily showing flamboyant, the Stéphanois won (1-0). Dupraz can breathe, hoping to confirm in Ligue 1 Wednesday against Nantes.

• The player of the weekend: Florian Verplanck, the wall of AS Cannes

And to think that he does not even start in the championship with AS Cannes… Florian Verplanck came out of the woods again, Saturday, on the occasion of the 32^e of final between AS Cannes, club of fifth division (N3), and Dijon, 16^e League 2. While the two clubs had neutralized after the final whistle, Verplanck once again donned his hero costume (1-1, 3-2 tab).

As against Le Puy (N2), in the seventh round, and against Rodez (Ligue 2), in the eighth round, the AS Cannes goalkeeper rejected two attempts by Dijon players during the penalty shootout, to qualify his team. After this new victory against a professional club, amateur players from the Côte d’Azur will be able to continue their fine career in the Coupe de France.