Part-timers Carquefou target PSG scalp

Remarkable run
Carquefou may be struggling to avoid relegation from France's fifth tier, yet the club from the Nantes suburbs have captured the imagination of an entire nation with their recent cup heroics. Few could have imagined that a 4-2 triumph against ASPTT Nantes in September might spark such a remarkable run that has seen Carquefou defeat eight more clubs, including second-division side FC Gueugnon, Ligue 1 high-flyers AS Nancy-Lorraine and ten-time French Cup winners Olympique de Marseille.

Calais precedent
They are now just two victories away from emulating the achievements of Calais Racing Union FC, who, in 1999/00, became the only amateur club to reach the final of France's oldest knockout competition, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Given that Carquefou have already eliminated two of Ligue 1's top four clubs, many are expecting the part-timers to create another sensation at La Beaujoire – the FC Nantes Atlantique stadium that has been adopted by Carquefou – against a PSG side struggling to avoid relegation.

'Toughest test'
But Carquefou coach Denis Renaud, who has been widely praised for his canny tactics, is far from confident, describing the visit of Paul Le Guen's men as the toughest challenge yet. "When we played Nancy the problem was trying to score against the best defence in France," Renaud explained. "Against Marseille, we needed to keep out the best attack in the country. Paris represent a different test and that's why it will be the toughest."

Gulf in class
Renaud is concerned that the public are now expecting his team to upset the odds – despite the supposed gulf in class between the two teams. "Since the Marseille win, expectations have changed," he pointed out. "Before people just asked us to do our best. But now everyone's talking to us about is getting to the semi-finals and the final. Personally, I'm trying to figure out how to get past Paris. They've had some poor results but they remain a very coherent team and they have 28 or 29 players with top-flight experience. We're a fifth-division team, so they should be three goals up at half-time against us."

Nice setback
PSG have saved their best performances for the knockout competitions this season, having already beaten RC Lens in the French League Cup final to book their place in next season's UEFA Cup. Their league form has been abysmal, however. The seven-time French Cup winners led OGC Nice 2-1 with nine minutes remaining on Sunday only to lose 3-2 and drop back into the relegation zone. Top-flight survival remains their priority, as reserve goalkeeper Jérôme Alonzo, who is set to be recalled for the Carquefou game, explained: "Our main target this week is the trip to [SM] Caen. But for 90 minutes on Wednesday, we'll focus only on Carquefou."

Double dream
Should Renaud's team create another sensation, their path to the Stade de France is unlikely to be an easy one. Olympique Lyonnais reached the semi-finals last night with a 1-0 defeat of FC Metz, already relegated from Ligue 1, and were joined by Amiens SC after their 1-0 win against Ligue 2 rivals Dijon FCO. In tonight's other game, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, who are four points behind Lyon in the title race, welcome former winners CS Sedan-Ardennes, now in Ligue 2. Both Lyon and Bordeaux, separated by four points in the league, harbour hopes of becoming France's first double winners since AJ Auxerre in 1995/96.