Reims vs AS Monaco

Monaco is set to make a return to Stade Auguste-Delaune for a Coupe de France fixture against Stade de Reims, marking their first visit to the venue in over 45 years. With a spot in the round of 16 up for grabs, both teams will be eager to advance in the prestigious tournament. The match will take place on Tuesday, with both clubs coming off positive results in their opening fixtures of the competition. Reims, representing the Champagne region, secured a 3-1 victory over Still-Mutzig, while Monaco emerged as 4-1 winners over L'Union Saint-Jean.

In their opening match of this year’s Coupe de France, Reims demonstrated resilience, notably showing a strong finish in the final 30 minutes at Parc des Sports. This late surge helped them secure their progression to the next stage of the tournament, marking their fourth consecutive year in the round of 32. A win on Tuesday would see the club reach the last 16 for the third time in the last four years of the competition, further solidifying their position as a consistent performer in the Coupe de France.

However, 2025 has been a challenging year for Reims so far. They have suffered defeats in both of their Ligue 1 encounters this year, conceding seven goals in the process. This marks a stark contrast to their performances in the final stretch of 2024 when Luka Elsner's side had displayed a more solid defensive record, conceding only once in their final three competitive matches. This defensive fragility has added to the pressure on the team as they approach the Coupe de France clash against Monaco.

In terms of form, Reims enters the match on a five-game winless streak at Stade Auguste-Delaune, a worrying trend for a team that will need to overcome these struggles if they are to advance to the next round. Furthermore, they have failed to score in their last two home matches, further compounding the pressure on their attack. Reims' historical record against Monaco in the Coupe de France provides little comfort either. The Champagne club has only claimed one victory over Monaco in the competition, which came back in 1977. On that occasion, they triumphed 2-0 at home, going on to win the round of 16 tie 6-2 on aggregate. This distant win is their sole success against Monaco in the competition, with the Principality club largely dominating their encounters over the years.

On the other hand, Monaco's form in the Coupe de France has been far more favorable. The team had little trouble dispatching their amateur opponents in the opening match of the tournament in December. They produced a dominant performance, registering 12 shots on target, which was a reflection of their offensive prowess in the competition. However, despite this impressive start, Monaco has had a difficult run in recent weeks. Their victory in the Coupe de France opener remains one of the few bright spots for the club, as it was their only win in the last six matches across all competitions. Monaco’s recent form has been a mixture of inconsistency, with a string of disappointing results in Ligue 1 and other domestic cup competitions.

Despite these recent struggles, Monaco has been a steady performer in the Coupe de France in recent years. They have not been eliminated at this stage of the competition since a 3-1 defeat to Metz in 2019. This track record reflects their capacity to navigate the early stages of the competition, and they will be looking to extend that run against Reims on Tuesday. Monaco's recent away form has also been relatively strong, with only one loss in their last four competitive fixtures as the visiting team. That defeat came in the final of the Trophee des Champions in Qatar, where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Paris Saint-Germain. In the context of the Coupe de France, Monaco's away form has been even more impressive, as they have not lost a match in normal time away from home since the 2017 semi-finals, when PSG thrashed them 5-0 at the Parc des Princes. This remarkable record highlights Monaco's resilience and ability to perform in high-stakes cup ties.

When it comes to their head-to-head encounters with Reims, Monaco's record is even more encouraging. The Principality club is unbeaten in their last six visits to Stade Auguste-Delaune, a streak that stretches back several years. Their most recent Coupe de France meeting with Reims took place in 2020, and Monaco came out on top with a 2-1 victory. This win demonstrated their ability to handle the pressure of playing away from home, especially in the context of the Coupe de France, a competition where surprises and upsets are common. Monaco's impressive away form in the competition, combined with their strong head-to-head record against Reims, gives them a slight edge heading into the match.

Looking ahead to the clash on Tuesday, both teams will have to navigate their own set of challenges. For Reims, the key question will be whether they can overcome their recent struggles at home and regain the form that saw them perform well in the earlier stages of the tournament. Their defensive frailties will need to be addressed if they are to keep Monaco's potent attack at bay. The club's history in the Coupe de France suggests that they will be up for the challenge, but the pressure is on them to perform in front of their home fans.

On the other hand, Monaco will be focused on continuing their solid record in the competition and making a push for the round of 16. Despite their mixed form in recent weeks, the club has the necessary experience and talent to advance in the tournament. Their strong away record and impressive past performances against Reims will give them confidence heading into the match. Monaco's attacking capabilities, as demonstrated in their dominant performance against L'Union Saint-Jean, will be a key factor in their quest for victory.

In conclusion, Tuesday's Coupe de France fixture between Reims and Monaco promises to be an intriguing contest, with both teams eager to progress to the round of 16. Reims will be hoping to overcome their recent difficulties and continue their solid Coupe de France form, while Monaco will look to extend their unbeaten run in the competition and add to their impressive away record. The match is sure to be a thrilling encounter, with the stakes high for both teams as they battle for a spot in the next stage of the tournament.