00:07Welcome to today's match between Strasbourg and Reims in the quarterfinals of the Coupe
00:11de France at the Stade de la Mainau. Strasbourg have impressed in this cup run, scoring 11 goals
00:17in three matches to reach the last eight. Their most recent victory was a convincing 3-1 win over
00:22Monaco. This attacking form contrasts with their League One struggles where they have often failed
00:27to score. Manager Gary O'Neill's team are unbeaten in 12 of their last 14 competitive games and have
00:34lost only once at home during that period. Reims also arrive in good form. This is their second
00:38consecutive quarterfinal appearance, secured with a 3-0 victory over Le Mans. Karel Gerertz has his
00:44side pushing for promotion from League Two, where they currently sit third. They have been excellent
00:50on the road in this competition, winning four or five away ties and conceding just one goal. Reims
00:56are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 away matches across all competitions. History favors the visitors
01:02in this match-up. Reims have won two of their three previous knockout meetings with Strasbourg,
01:06including their only prior Coupe de France encounter back in 1963.
01:19The first half was a tightly contested affair with few clear-cut chances. Strasbourg started brightly
01:26and came close in the 16th minute when Joaquin Panicelli's effort was saved by Reims goalkeeper
01:33Alexander Ollero. The home side continued to push, with Jessam Yassine forcing another save from Ollero
01:40shortly after. The main talking point arrived in the 37th minute when Yassine went down in the box
01:46under a challenge. After a brief VAR check for a potential penalty, the referee deemed the Strasbourg
01:53player had simulated and showed him a yellow card. Strasbourg began the second half with intent.
01:59Gwela Dewey struck the left post with a header in the 53rd minute, coming agonizingly close to
02:06breaking the deadlock. Joaquin Panicelli then missed two chances, first heading wide from a corner and
02:13then firing over from distance. Reims grew into the game as the half progressed and had their own
02:18opportunities. Hiroki Sikain forced a save from Mike Penders in the 67th minute. Strasbourg responded
02:25with a series of substitutions, bringing on Julio Inciso and David Datro Fofana to add fresh energy
02:33to their attack. Despite late pressure and a series of corners for the home side, the Reims' defense
02:39held firm. In the 73rd minute, John Patrick fired a left-footed shot wide from outside the box,
02:46which proved to be the last notable action of normal time.
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