Cup Final

The big day is here, we will be taking on Dijon FCO in the Coupe de la Ligue Final at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium. This entry will take you through the big day with a match preview, tactical analysis and a commentary of the game (including my thoughts and decisions!)

Match Preview

Saint-Etienne – Route to the final

We made the final having entered in the third round. We kicked off our journey with a trip to Troyes where we came through 3-2 thanks to a late brace from on loan Remy Cabella and a Neven Subotic goal. We then travelled to Guingamp where we won 2-1 thanks to a stoppage time winner from club legend Loic Perrin. This put us into the Quarterfinal, of which meant we had met the boards expectations for the competition. We were pitted up against Paris Saint-Germain at home, who after a cagey game we beat on penalties after drawing 1-1 in normal time. For our success we were rewarded with a home time against Marseille, of whom we demolished 5-0 and confirmed out place in the Final. The route to the final has seen Remy Cabella net 4 goals with Franco Di Santo being a key provider

Dijon FCO – Route to the final

Dijon FCO are most definitely the underdogs in the final having majorly overachieving to reach the final. They also entered to competition in the third round where they qualified courtesy of penalties having drawn 0-0 with Clermont at home. They then travelled to Lille where penalties were once again their saviour as they drew 1-1 in normal time. For the Quarterfinal, they drew Bordeaux at home, but they were too strong as they progressed with a solid 3-0 victory. In the Semi Final, they had drawn Nice at home, who were on a good run of form themselves. Dijon held firm, stole a 1-0 win, and secured a place in the final. The route to the final has seen Ludovic Ajorque lead the scoring charts for them scoring 2 of the 5 goals en-route.

Saint-Etienne – Key man watch

Remy Cabella, has frequently found himself to be the key man and catalyst for Saint-Etienne this year, and it has been no different in the Coupe de la Ligue. The Frenchman on loan from Olympique Marseille has led the way for Saint-Etienne in the competition scoring 4 and assisting 1 in just 3 starts in the cup, picking 2 player of the match awards en route. Remy has picked up an average rating of 7.90 for his performances in the competition and operating in the attacking midfield will certainly be a player to watch in the final.

Dijon FCO – Key man watch

South Korean attacking midfielder, Kwon Chang-Hoon, has had a strong year for Dijon constantly being a threat on the attack due to his dribbling and passing abilities. Although he has not shone in the cup competition this year his league, performances definitely indicate he is their danger man. Picking up 4 goals, 4 assists and 3 player of the match awards in the league this year in a mid-table team is no mean feat. Kwon’s flair, vision and technical abilities mean he will have to be watched closely because he could turn the game around at any point!

Tactical Analysis

Having gone through Dijon’s matches this year I will break down their threats and weaknesses.

Goals scored

19 of the 30 goals scored in the league have come in the second half.

66% of all goals scored have come in the last 15 minutes of each half.

The majority of goals were scored from crosses.

7 goals scored from corners this season.

Goals conceded

18 of the 26 goals were conceded in the first half. 15 of which were in the first 30 minutes.

22 of the 26 goals were conceded in the centre of the box, they rarely concede from outside the box.

Vulnerable to crosses – 13 of the 26 goals conceded were from crosses.

Possession

Dijon sit 14 th in pass completion of the 20 Ligue 1 teams.

in pass completion of the 20 Ligue 1 teams. Dijon sit 15th in average possession of the 20 Ligue 1 teams.

Game plan

Using the above, the following changes will be made with the intentions of counteracting their strengths to exploit their weaknesses.

It is evident that they concede early, score late. Therefore, we will be attacking early in the half and then playing on the counter attack as the half wears on. I hope that if we can get a lead this will catch them unawares.

Due to the majority of the goals being scored from crosses into the box we will be instructing our wingbacks to get tight and close down the wingers instantly. With Dijon conceding most of their goals from the centre of the box, with assists coming from crosses we will look to use our width. Once the ball is recovered, we will be looking to put early balls into the box. Our usual Inside Forwards will be made attacking wingers and the attacking midfielder will be encouraged to fill the box. I will be asking the team to exploit the flanks.

Having analysed the possession and passing accuracy of Dijon it is evident they are not the best at retaining the ball therefore when we are attacking we will be instructing a high and aggressive press which will resort to our usual conservative and contained approach later in the halves.

Line – ups

G ame

12’: Chance! ASSE 0 – 0 Dijon

Bamba slides in Di Santo who fires a clear-cut chance straight at the keeper!

15’: Goal! ASSE 1 – 0 Dijon – Di Santo

Cabella picks the ball up on the left flank and makes a mazy run infield. He plays a delightful ball through for Di Santo who finished well from a tight angle.

22’: Goal! ASSE 2 – 0 Dijon – Bamba

Selnaes spreads the ball wide to Cabella who whips a ball in which is flicked on by Di Santo, and finished with real quality by Bamba.

45’: Half-Time ASSE 2 – 0 Dijon

A great first half with 2 early goals both originating from Cabella and the left wing!

52’: Chance! ASSE 2 – 0 Dijon

Xadas slides in Di Santo for a clear-cut chance, but he can’t beat the ‘keeper.

77’: Goal! ASSE 3 – 0 Dijon

Di Santo is brought down in the box and it’s a penalty! Cabella steps up and sends the ‘keeper the wrong way!

Full Time: ASSE 3 – 0 Dijon

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Our pre match analysis paid off to great effect with key man Remy Cabella shining!

A bonus for winning the cup despite having loftier ambitions!

That’s it for now, we will be back with an end of season review!