Lens Form
Lens go into the semi-final on the back of a nervy but telling victory: on Friday the home team coached by Pierre Sage beat Toulouse 3:2, despite trailing 0:2 as early as the 13th minute. At home the hosts are almost exemplary, and their cup run has already tested their character: in the quarter-final the home side got past Lyon only on penalties, winning 3:2 in the shootout.
Important numbers for Lens:
- Eight draws in 11 home cup matches.
- Eleven goals scored in the last three home games in all competitions.
- On Friday against Toulouse: 41 shots, 13 on target, 14 corners and 78% possession.
Potential lineup (3-4-2-1): Robin Risser — Ismaelo Ganiou, Malang Sarr, Saud Abdulhamid — Arthur Masuaku, Mamadou Sangare, Adrien Thomasson, Matthieu Udol — Allan Saint-Maximin, Wesley Said — Odsonne Edouard.
Unavailable: Kylian Antonio, Jonathan Gradit, Regis Gurtner (all injured), Nidal Celik is not in the squad.
Toulouse Form
Toulouse go into the semi-final as underdogs but have already shown they can compete with this opponent. On Friday the visitors went 2:0 up by the 13th minute and, until Yann Gboho was sent off, the away side looked assured on their travels. However, the overall away picture is worrying: the defence gives opponents too much, and there is not enough stability without the ball. In the Coupe de France, though, the guests have already come through a tough trip to Marseille, where they won on penalties 3:2.
Important numbers for Toulouse:
- Toulouse have drawn their last four away cup matches.
- Just one win in their last seven away games in regulation time.
- Both teams have scored in three of Toulouse’s four away matches in this season’s Coupe de France.
Potential lineup (3-4-2-1): Guillaume Restes — Seny Koumbassa, Charlie Cresswell, Rasmus Nicolaisen — Djibril Sidibe, Cristian Casseres, Pape Demba Diop, Waren Kamanzi — Aron Donnum, Santiago Hidalgo — Emersonn.
Unavailable: Alex Dominguez, Alex, Frank Magri (all injured), Mark McKenzie is suspended.
