Holders lose grip on trophy

French Cup holders FC Lorient were knocked out of this season’s competition at the quarter-final stage, suffering a 2-0 defeat at FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Tight games
Bordeaux will be joined in the semi-finals by Stade Rennais FC, who edged out fifth division side Schiltigheim SC 2-1, and Paris Saint-Germain FC, who also secured a narrow victory, winning 1-0 at FC Martigues of the third division.

Holders denied
Brazilian forward Savio was a key figure for Bordeaux, scoring one goal and creating the other. Lorient offered a stiff challenge to the home side, but striker Pascal Feindouno finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark, heading a Savio cross into the net from close range.

Decisive second
However, the visitors refused to let their heads drop, and came close to equalising in the 70th minute, but Luis Pereira Robson’s strike was ruled out for handball. Savio settled the match eight minutes from time, scoring after a cross from Portuguese striker Pauleta.

Dreadful start
Rennes, fighting to avoid relegation from Ligue 1, struggled against their lower-division opponents and suffered the worst possible start to the match, falling behind in only the second minute as Schiltigheim striker Grégory Spiewak converted a cross from Stéphane Lemarchand.

Rennes rally
The home team held on to their slender lead until 18 minutes from time, only for Toifilou Maoulida to equalise from close range, finishing off a cross from defender Arnaud Le Lan. Schiltigheim defender Bruno Wolghemuth was then dismissed for a second bookable offence with 12 minutes left to play, and Rennes took full advantage, sealing the victory four minutes from time as Frédéric Piquionne scored following an Olivier Sorlin free-kick.

Ronaldinho on target
Meanwhile, PSG were too strong for Martigues, with Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho influential throughout and scoring the winner with 16 minutes remaining, heading a Fabrica Fiorèse cross into the net

Tricky trip
The fourth quarter-final sees third division side AS Angoulême-Charente 92 play at home to AJ Auxerre on Sunday.