Coupe de France Semi-Finals Preview: Toulouse vs. Lens and Strasbourg vs. Nice

The Coupe de France semi-finals are set for this week with two thrilling matchups: Lens hosting Toulouse on April 21 and Strasbourg welcoming Nice on April 22. The Lens-Toulouse clash will kick off at 21:15 and be broadcast on France 2 and beIN SPORTS 1, while Strasbourg and Nice will face off at 21:00 on beIN SPORTS 1.

Toulouse, who won the competition in 2023, are eager to "write their own story," according to World Cup champion Djibril Sidibé. Despite currently sitting 11th in Ligue 1, Toulouse is focusing its efforts on advancing to the final. Coach Carles Martinez Novell, assistant coach during their victorious 2023 campaign, emphasized the team's shared dream and the importance of humility and determination.

Facing a challenging Lens squad second in Ligue 1, Toulouse must contend with key absences. Midfielder Yann Gboho is suspended, and defender Mark McKenzie is unavailable due to a previous red card. Toulouse recently lost 3-2 to Lens in the league after initially leading 2-0, underscoring the difficulty of the semi-final encounter. However, Novell remains optimistic about motivating his side to prevail.

The following night, Strasbourg hosts Nice in the second semi-final, with both teams aiming to secure a place in the Coupe de France final and lift France's prestigious trophy.