The stage is set for a captivating Coupe de France final as RC Lens and OGC Nice prepare to face off on Friday evening. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. local time, and both sides have announced their starting lineups, with at least one major surprise. Lens manager Pierre Sage has opted to start Allan Saint-Maximin in attack, leaving Wesley Saïd on the bench despite the latter being expected to lead the line. The decision immediately shifts the tactical outlook for Lens, who are set to deploy a 3-4-3 formation.
In that setup, Florian Thauvin will operate on the right wing, while Odsonne Édouard takes the central striking role. Saint-Maximin’s inclusion on the left adds pace and directness, and his ability to take on defenders could be a decisive factor against a Nice defense that will be tested throughout. Sage’s call is a clear vote of confidence in the former Newcastle man, whose explosive style might be better suited to exploiting spaces in a high-stakes encounter.
At the back, Lens have also made an interesting choice in central defense. Kyllian Antonio gets the nod alongside Malang Sarr and Ismaëlo Ganiou, edging out Nidal Celik. Celik, an 18-year-old prospect, had been nursing a minor right thigh injury sustained during Lens’ emphatic 4-0 victory at Lyon. He spent portions of the week training individually before rejoining the group on Thursday, but Sage decided against risking him from the start. Antonio’s selection underscores the depth in Lens’ squad and the manager’s willingness to trust his defensive options even as Celik nears full fitness.
For Lens, this final represents a golden opportunity to end the season with silverware. The club has been building momentum under Sage, and a trophy would cap a remarkable campaign. Saint-Maximin, in particular, will be eager to prove his worth on the big stage after arriving with high expectations. His head-to-head against Jonathan Clauss on Nice’s flank could be one of the defining battles of the match. Meanwhile, Thauvin and Édouard bring experience and goal threat, forming a formidable attacking trio that will test Nice’s resolve from the opening whistle.
Turning to Nice, manager Franck Haise has also sprung a few lineup choices of his own. The team is expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, a system designed to provide defensive solidity while allowing the wing-backs to push forward. The most notable inclusion is goalkeeper Maxime Dupé, who will start between the posts. While Dupé has been a reliable deputy, his selection in a cup final signals Haise’s trust in his abilities. Further down the right side, Jonathan Clauss has recovered from a glute issue and is fit to start, a huge boost for Nice given his attacking output from the flank.
Nice’s situation is uniquely complicated. While they will be fully focused on lifting the Coupe de France, a massive league match awaits just days later. Next week, they face AS Saint-Étienne in a do-or-die relegation battle that could determine their top-flight status. Balancing the physical and emotional toll of a cup final with the need to stay fresh for a survival scrap is a tightrope walk. Haise will need to manage his squad carefully, knowing that injuries or fatigue could prove costly in the defining moments of their season.
Tactically, the clash between Lens’ 3-4-3 and Nice’s 3-5-2 creates an intriguing dynamic. Lens will look to overload the wings through Thauvin and Saint-Maximin, while Édouard occupies the center-backs. Nice will aim to congest the midfield and use the pace of their wing-backs to counter. Clauss, in particular, will be key to providing width and delivering crosses for the two forwards. The battle in the middle of the park will be intense, with both sides needing to win second balls to establish control.
Despite the narrative of a distracted Nice, they enter the match with nothing to lose in a sense, given their underdog status. However, the psychological weight of the relegation fight cannot be ignored. A heavy defeat in the final could dent morale ahead of the Saint-Étienne game, while a heroic performance could provide a much-needed lift. For Lens, the pressure is different: they are expected to win, and falling short would be devastating. Sage’s men must handle the occasion and impose their style from the first whistle.
The decision to start Saint-Maximin over Saïd also points to a calculated gamble. Saïd is a more traditional forward, but Saint-Maximin offers chaos and unpredictability—qualities that can unlock a cagey final. Sage’s willingness to make that switch, rather than sticking with the safer option, shows a boldness that could pay off handsomely. Similarly, the choice of Antonio over Celik, while partially influenced by the youngster’s minor injury, still reflects a strategic preference for experience in a high-pressure defensive setup.
As the teams warm up under the lights, fans will be dissecting every tactical nuance. The Coupe de France has a history of dramatic twists, and this edition’s final promises nothing less. With elite individual talent on both sides and contrasting narratives colliding, the stage is set for a memorable showdown. Whether Nice can compartmentalize their league fears and rise to the occasion, or Lens can deliver on their promise and capture the trophy, remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the lineups have already set the tone for a thrilling contest.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
