Les Aiglons have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France! Solid at the back and inspired in attack, Les Rouge et Noir completely dominated Montpellier 4-1 at La Mosson on Wednesday night. 

Le Gym hadn’t managed to score four goals in a single match this season... before tonight! It came courtesy of an excellent performance against Montpellier in the last-16 of the Coupe de France that Dante and Co. made look easy. Away to a team where they had won just once in their previous eight trips, Les Aiglons were without a number of players, just three days after the titanic duel with Brest in Ligue 1 (MD 20, 0-0).

Still without Sofiane Diop (injured) and Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga (AFCON), Francesco Farioli also had to make do without Khephren Thuram, rested following a muscle alert, and Valentin Rosier, who remained in Nice to continue his return to full fitness. It was an opportunity for the Italian coach to bring back Tom Louchet, who started for the third time in a row in the Cup, as well as Romain Perraud, who started his first match on the left side of the defence this season.

A MISSILE FROM YOUSSOUF

After an even start, the game burst into life shortly before the half-hour mark. Youssouf Ndayishimiye's first attempt on goal failed to trouble Benjamin Lecomte (23'), but he tried again five minutes later. And a good thing he did! Given space 25 metres from goal, the Burundi midfielder sent a missile straight into the top left-hand corner of the Montpellier goal to net a memorable first of the season (0-1, 28th).

It was a stunning individual goal that gave Les Aiglons wings - even if they had to be wary of the home side from distance with Yann Karamoh (31') and Jordan Ferri (36'). Just as the hosts were pushing for an equaliser, Le Gym punished them. Picked out on the right flank, Mohamed-Ali Cho went passed Théo Sainte-Luce before sending in a low cross. The ball was deflected in the area and fell to Tom Louchet, who was in the right place at the right time to fire the ball past Lecomte from close range (0-2, 38').

A FIRST GOAL FOR MOHAMED-ALI CHO

Heavily involved in the second goal, Cho got his own name on the scoresheet a few moments later. Picking up a ball on the edge of the area, the former Angers forward clinically fired across goal and into the bottom corner (0-3, 40'). A first goal in red and black, capping off an excellent performance from Nice's winter recruit, who has looked every bit the part since joining the club.

Clinical in the first half, Le Gym returned for the second period with a three-goal advantage but no intentions of taking their foot off the gas. Starting for the third time in 2024, Alexis Claude-Maurice caught the eye with a superb exchange with Tom Louchet before winning a penalty after being fouled by Lecomte in the box. Without a moment's hesitation, the midfielder stepped up and sent the 'keeper the wrong way (0-4, 62').

GAME MANAGEMENT TO CLOSE OUT WIN

With a big lead midway through the second half, Les Aiglons were focused on keeping a clean sheet of their own. JC Todibo and his teammates were first saved by their 'keeper, when Evann Guessand was penalised for handling in the box and Junior Ndiaye had the chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot. However, Marcin Bulka proved unbeatable in his favourite exercise, with another fine save (74'). However, the Polish giant conceded a minute later, beaten by Modibo Sagnan's header (1-4, 75').

With four days to go before a fiery derby against AS Monaco in the league (Sunday, 20:45 CET), Les Aiglons controlled the tempo of the final minutes, as there were professional debuts for Daouda Traoré and Amidou Doumbouya. Les Aiglons will now see their fans again in the quarter-finals of France's oldest club competition on February 28.

Hugo Rondet