Retrospective 2024-2025: Paris, masters of the Coupe de France!
Men's football•
Throughout the 2024-2025 edition of the Coupe de France, Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated their dominance and superiority by brushing aside opponents of all stripes, culminating in a one-sided final at the Stade de France. Buoyed by impressive collective strength and decisive individual performances, Les Rouge et Bleu added another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet on 24 May, confirming their supremacy on the domestic stage. Here's a look back at the Parisians' 16th triumph in the competition!
An epic adventure with plenty of tough opponents
The capital club's run in the Coupe de France was marked by a wide range of opponents and unexpected scenarios. Having entered the round of 32 against RC Lens, the only other Ligue 1 side in their path, Les Rouge et Bleu were given a tough first test at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The atmosphere was initially electric but cooled off after a penalty shootout (1-1, 3-4 on pens). In the next round, it was a completely different story for Paris, with an unprecedented trip to Espaly, competition minnows from the National 3 (D5) (2-4).
In the Round of 16, they beat National 1 (D3) side Le Mans FC (0-2), who nonetheless ended up finishing the season by securing promotion back to Ligue 2. In the quarter-finals, it was Stade Briochin, a National 2 (D4) club promoted to National 1, who tried to spring a surprise before quickly succumbing to the Parisian armada (0-7). But it was in the semi-finals that Les Rouge et Bleu had to dig deep to overcome USL Dunkerque, a solid Ligue 2 side who went close to winning promotion to Ligue 1, in a see-sawing encounter that saw the Parisians win through to the Stade de France (2-4).
Une finale maîtrisée de bout en bout
Dans l’écrin d’un Stade de France à guichets fermés, le Paris Saint-Germain n’a laissé aucune place au suspense lors d’une finale parfaitement maîtrisée face au Stade de Reims (0-3). Solides collectivement, rigoureux dans tous les compartiments du jeu, les Parisiens ont livré une prestation de référence, incarnée par un Bradley Barcola étincelant.
Véritable poison pour la défense rémoise, l'ailier parisien a été l'auteur d'un doublé et a illuminé la rencontre par ses qualités de percussion et de finition, contribuant à donner à cette finale une allure de démonstration. Portés par un collectif impressionnant, les hommes de Luis Enrique ont ainsi ajouté un nouveau trophée au palmarès d'une saison déjà bien garnie.
Individuals at the service of the team
While this title testifies above all to the unity and determination of the team, a number of individual players stood out throughout the campaign. Gonçalo Ramos established himself as Les Rouge et Bleu's number one attacking weapon with a competition-high five goals throughout the Parisians' run to the title.
Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué also shone in attack with four goals apiece, while also proving invaluable as assist providers. With four free-kicks between them, the two Parisian wingers spearheaded the capital club's attacking drive, perfectly embodying this talented generation who were on hand to help Paris Saint-Germain win their 16th Coupe de France!
