The absence of Paris Saint-Germain—eliminated early—leaves an unprecedented opportunity for Ligue 1’s challengers. On May 22, Lens and Nice will decide who lifts the Coupe de France, but also who secures a European berth and writes a new chapter in club history.

Lens: chasing a 27-year drought

RC Lens has reached the Coupe de France final three times (1948, 1975, 1998) but never won the trophy. This year’s final against Nice represents a chance to end a 27-year wait. Club president Gervais Martel, who led the team from 1988 to 2012 and again from 2013 to 2017, calls it “an anomaly” in football today.

After finishing Ligue 1 runners-up behind PSG, Lens enters the final with momentum. Forward Florian Sotoca, while cautious about the unique pressure of a final, voices the club’s collective ambition: “We want to make history.” A victory would crown a remarkable season and reward a loyal fanbase yearning for silverware.

Nice: survival battle overshadows cup dreams

OGC Nice, mired in a turbulent season, faces a relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne just days after the final. With only a 16th-place finish in Ligue 1 and strained relations with supporters, the club’s immediate priority is survival—not the Coupe de France. Club president Jean-Pierre Rivière admitted the competition “is no longer the main focus.”

However, manager Claude Puel insists the final cannot be treated as a mere formality. Speaking to the press, he stressed that “a final is a special moment—you play with everything you’ve got.” Nice’s approach remains uncertain: field a weakened side to rest key players or trust the first team to boost morale ahead of the playoff?

European dreams hinge on the outcome

The winner earns a place in the UEFA Europa League—but with Lens already secured a Champions League spot via its Ligue 1 finish, the Europa League ticket would pass to Stade Rennais (currently in Europa Conference playoff contention). That would, in turn, open a Ligue Europa berth for AS Monaco, currently without European qualification after finishing 7th in Ligue 1.

Beyond the trophy, this final carries weight for the broader French football landscape. For clubs like Monaco and Rennes, the result could mean the difference between European football and domestic irrelevance.