The business end of the season is fast approaching throughout European football and France is preparing for the semi-finals of their domestic cup competition.
With PSG running away with the French league, can anyone stop the Parisians from making it a double?
Here, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the upcoming semi-finals.
Fixture Details – Date, Kick-off Time, and Venue
- April 2nd 2024: Lyon vs. Valenciennes – Parc Olympique Lyonnais – 19:45 BST
- April 3rd 2024: PSG vs. Rennes – Parc Des Princes – 20:10 BST
Quarter-finals Recap – Setting the Stage
All the semi-finalists will be dreaming of a final appearance but how did they reach the semi-final stage?
PSG, favourites for the competition got here by getting past Nice with a 3-1 victory.
Rennes got to this point by getting past Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne.
Valenciennes needed penalties to eliminate FC Rouen.
Lyon also needed penalties to go through against Strasbourg.
Team Form – Recent Performances
PSG will be the team to beat in this year’s competition as they’ll take in their reputation as one of Europe’s best clubs. The Paris side are flying high at home and in the Champions League and they’ll be confident that they can add this cup to their collection.
Standing in their way in the semis are Rennes. Currently eighth in Ligue 1, Rennes have endured a mixed season but their manager, Julian Stephan, will be confident he can create a plan to help his team make the final.
Lyon have the easiest tie as they face Valenciennes from the second division, but they’ll be wary of a huge upset. Lyon have had a poor season by their standards so cup glory could be their way to end the season in an impressive manner.
Lyon are no strangers to success but the fairytale this season is with Valenciennes, and they’ll have the support of the neutrals.
Key Players – Impactful Figures on the Pitch
Kylian Mbappe is one of the world’s best players and if he plays well then PSG will be confident they can add further honours to their bulging trophy cabinet.
For Rennes, Martin Terrier will be their best source for goals. The French attacker has contributed brilliantly to his club, and he’ll be eager to secure them some silverware.
Lyon will be looking to Alexandre Lacazette to fire them to the final as the former Arsenal man has often been their hero.
Lyon will come up against a stubborn team in Valenciennes who’ll be hoping their collective effort can cause a big shock.
Match Previews – Anticipating the Action
Can anyone stop the mighty PSG? That is the storyline heading into the semis and it’s going to take a huge effort to stop Luis Enrique’s team.
Lyon and Rennes will know that they can cause PSG problems, but they’ll need to be perfect to do so and even that might not be enough against the relentless Parisians.
For Valenciennes, their journey has been a remarkable story that has got the French public invested. Can they get to the final? Even better, can they win it?
The semi-final stages are sure to bring up plenty of drama as the remaining side all push for success this season.
Road to the Final – Implications of the Results
For PSG, winning the semis will help them build momentum as they pursuit trophies on multiple stages with the Champions League their main target.
Can they win the French Cup to go with other honours or will the lure of European glory mean they focus their energies elsewhere?
That’s what the other teams will be hoping for, that PSG take their eyes off the prize and concentrate on the Champions League.
Can any of the other teams stop PSG? Or will France’s dominant side continue to build pressure on their way to an historic treble?
What are PSG Fan Tokens
A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.
Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards
Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways. You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Fan Tokens.
Score Incredible Fan Rewards
Fans earn Fan Rewards by engaging with the team on the Socios.com app. Each time you predict and check into matches, play in-app games or vote in polls, you’ll score points. These points tally and enable you to get SSU. SSU are your in-app loyalty tokens, and you’ll trade these in for Fan Rewards.
Fan Tokens have enabled fans to travel with the first team, win unique match used merchandize and even enjoy VIP matchday experiences with team legends. Are you ready to get rewarded for your loyalty?
Vote In Polls and Make Your Mark on the clubs in the Champions League
Perhaps one of the most commonly used features on the Socios.com app is the voting system. Your Fan Tokens give you a say in your club. You’ll be able to pick shirt designs, stadium murals, official team merch and more. Whenever you use Fan Tokens, you always get to keep them, so keep impacting your side with your Fan Tokens.
Engage with clubs for Experience and Leaderboard Points
Use your Fan Tokens to score XP and LP on the Socios.com app. XP are experience points, gained every time you level up. LP are leaderboard points, and these stack in Team Leaderboards. Here, you’ll compete with fellow fans to win huge prizes when you rank at the end of the season!
Score points each time you:
- Vote in polls
- Check in to matches – do this each matchday to bag easy points!
- Predict the score – get maximum points for the perfect score, and score when you guess the outcome too
- Play in-app games, Freekick challenge and Pop & Swap.
How To Buy Fan Tokens
- Download the Socios.com app and follow these three steps to get your first Fan Tokens:
- Open the Socios.com app and tap on Wallet.
- Top up your Wallet with our in-app currency, Chiliz ($CHZ)T
- Tap on Sports, tap on All Teams and then hit Football to filter out football teams. Then search for PSG and get your Fan Tokens using the $CHZ you just bought
