PSG and Bordeaux chase final berth
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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The last two French League Cup winners, Paris Saint-Germain FC and FC Girondins de Bordeaux, meet tonight in the semi-finals at Parc des Princes with the capital club eager to avenge a heavy defeat from last month.
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The last two winners of the French League Cup, Paris Saint-Germain FC and FC Girondins de Bordeaux, meet tonight in the semi-finals at Parc des Princes with the capital club eager to avenge a heavy defeat just over three weeks ago.
Competition records
PSG became the first three-time League Cup victors last season, and are hoping to do what no other club has done since the competition was revamped in 1994/95 and successfully defend the trophy. In fact, whoever triumphs in the capital would be the only team to reach five finals in the competition, which carries a UEFA Europa League qualifying berth. Bordeaux have two triumphs to their name in 2001/02 and 2006/07, and lost the 1997/98 final on penalties to PSG, but although they were beaten 1-0 at the Parc des Princes in August, they go into the semi-final fresh from a 4-0 home defeat of their rivals on 11 January.
Motivation
On Tuesday PSG appointed a new president in Sébastien Bazin, and although they lie three Ligue 1 points behind second-placed Bordeaux, their form since the Chaban-Delmas loss last month has made up for that defeat. "With four wins after [the 4-0 loss], we showed that it was just an accident," said PSG and Ligue 1 top scorer Guillaume Hoarau. "But we must not forget what we experienced over there. We want to reach the final and are ready to fight hard." Indeed, Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc is expecting just such a reaction, even if their fellow UEFA Cup contenders PSG choose to rest captain Claude Makelele. "When you take on a team who just defeated you 4-0, you're hyper-motivated, whatever the competition," Blanc said.
Nice challenge
In the other semi-final, kicking off nearly four hours before the Paris match at 17.00CET, OGC Nice continue their bid for a first major trophy since the 1997 French Cup when they take on Ligue 2 side Vannes OC. Nice lost the 2005/06 final to AS Nancy-Lorraine, and veteran goalkeeper Lionel Letizi is hopeful as they take on a side holding a useful seventh place in their debut season in the second tier. "It is very important, considering we are at home, to reach the final for the second time," said Leitizi, whose team lie eighth in Ligue 1 after two straight defeats. "I hope for good backing from our fans although the game is early."