Cannes Captain Criticizes Reims’ Defensive Tactics After Coupe de France Defeat

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Stade de Reims in the Coupe de France, AS Cannes showcased an impressive performance that belied the gap between the two teams. The fourth-tier side dominated possession and created more chances than their Ligue 1 opponents.

Cannes, currently vying for promotion to National 1, controlled 62% of possession and registered 17 shots compared to Reims’ 10. This stark contrast in playing styles led to criticism from Cannes’ captain, Cheikh N’Doye.

N’Doye expressed his frustration in a post-match interview, stating, “It’s deeply disappointing. We played well and have no regrets, but losing like this is cruel. Reims, despite being a Ligue 1 team, showed no interest in playing attractive football. Their current league position reflects this approach.”

Reims, currently 15th in Ligue 1, adopted a defensive strategy, allowing Cannes to dominate possession while looking to counterattack. This tactic proved effective, with Reims scoring their first goal on a break and capitalizing on a momentary lapse in Cannes’ concentration for their second, shortly after N’Doye had equalized.

The match outcome, while favorable for Reims, raised questions about the quality gap between leagues and the effectiveness of defensive tactics in cup competitions.