Strasbourg Use Coupe De France Exit As Motivation, ONeil Saysnewsline24

Gary O’Neil is asking Strasbourg to turn Coupe de France heartbreak into energy for the rest of the campaign after defeat against Nice ended hopes of a domestic trophy and left focus shifting towards the upcoming Conference League semi-final first leg against Rayo Vallecano next week.

Strasbourg fell 2-0 in the semi-final at Stade de la Meinau, with Elye Wahi scoring both goals for Nice, yet O’Neil stressed that the performance contained positives that must be carried into European competition, despite the frustration of missing out on a place at Stade de France.

O’Neil felt Strasbourg had done enough to progress and insisted the players matched the occasion, highlighting that the result should not hide encouraging signs. “We were the better team, we only conceded three shots on target and we had a huge number of clear chances,” said O’Neil.

The head coach underlined Strasbourg’s sense of missed opportunity but also the need to respond as a group. “We would have won this match nine times out of ten, so I’m proud of my players, but football can be very cruel. I feel enormous disappointment for them and for our supporters, who are truly extraordinary and whom I will never forget.”

Underlying data backed O’Neil’s belief that Strasbourg competed strongly, even if the scoreboard suggested otherwise. Nice edged the expected goals 1.64 to 1.25, helped significantly by Wahi’s 82nd-minute penalty, while Strasbourg produced more attempts, greater penalty-area presence and several high-quality opportunities but still failed to score.

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Strasbourg finished with 17 shots to Nice’s four, created five big chances compared with three for the visitors and recorded 31 touches in the opposition box against 19 for Nice. The inability to convert pressure into goals left Strasbourg exposed, with Wahi’s brace ultimately deciding the tie in favour of Claude Puel’s side.

Coupe de France, Strasbourg and Nice: Motivation and Nice’s final

O’Neil wants the loss to drive standards higher as Strasbourg prepare for Rayo Vallecano and the season run-in. “This defeat against Nice must fuel us and motivate us even more to progress and improve what didn’t work. The fans need to continue supporting us like this,” O’Neil added.

The coach also addressed the emotional impact on the support and promised that the group would still aim to deliver something special. “We’re sorry we can’t take them to the Stade de France, but we’ll do everything we can to make this season memorable nonetheless,” O’Neil said, stressing the importance of maintaining unity around the club.

For Nice, victory set up a Coupe de France final against Lens, with Nice targeting a first triumph in the competition since 1997. Puel highlighted that the plan at Stade de la Meinau involved containing Strasbourg before introducing attacking options, a strategy that paid off thanks to Wahi’s clinical finishing.

Coupe de France, Strasbourg and Nice: Wahi’s impact praised

Puel emphasised how much Nice had missed Wahi earlier this year and how decisive the forward can be. “We have very few players capable of making a difference offensively and scoring goals. Elye is a real asset that we sorely missed during the month and a half he was out,” said Puel.

The Nice boss explained the tactical approach in more detail after booking a place against Lens. “The goal in this match was first to show our solidity, to disrupt this very talented Strasbourg team, and then to bring on attacking players to hurt them. We wasted a few chances in the first half, but we were clinical in the second. We knew what to expect and we rose to the occasion.”

The semi-final left Strasbourg with regrets but also with evidence of strong performance levels, while Nice progressed to the Coupe de France final with Lens and welcomed Wahi’s return to form. Strasbourg now switch focus to the Conference League semi-final against Rayo Vallecano, aiming to turn disappointment into a driving force.