Carles Martinez Novell draws on 2023 cup memory as Toulouse target repeat | OneFootball

Carles Martinez Novell is leaning on Toulouse’s 2023 Coupe de France triumph to frame Tuesday’s semi-final at Lens, scheduled for 21:10.

According to L'Équipe, the head coach has told his players that, if a repeat is possible this year, they will do everything to try.

Toulouse beat Nantes 5-1 in the 2023 final, yet the squad has been overhauled. Martinez Novell, then Philippe Montanier’s assistant, is among the few to remain, and Olivier Cloarec has replaced Damien Comolli as president.

Of the winners, Kjetil Haug, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Warren Kamanzi and Guillaume Restes are still at the club. Only Haug and Nicolaisen played at the Stade de France, the others stayed on the bench or in the stands.

Backroom figures from that day remain, including goalkeeping coach Éric Allibert, video analyst Aurélien Dubearn and doctor Patrick Flamant, and they would like to relive the occasion. With Ligue 1 hopes limited, the cup is the late-season focus.

Martinez Novell revisited the 2-1 semi-final win at Annecy on 6 April 2023, describing the difficulty of that tie to guide a young group.

Ultra group Indians Tolosa have a banner around the city urging the team to rekindle the spirit of 29 April 2023 and reach the final, and around 1000 travelling supporters are expected at Bollaert.

This week Haug and Nicolaisen addressed team-mates about their experience, and the coach says sharing it could help Toulouse try to repeat their feat.

Source: L'Équipe