Florian Thauvin focused on Coupe de France final after World Cup omission | OneFootball

Stung by omission from Didier Deschamps’s World Cup squad, Florian Thauvin has set his sights on lifting the Coupe de France when Lens face Nice on Friday.

On Tuesday, Lens opened La Gaillette to the media, but the 33-year-old left-footer kept his counsel, preferring not to comment on his omission, according to L'Équipe.

At Groupama Stadium in the quarter-final, a 2-2 draw before a 5-4 shootout, he scored, assisted and buried the final kick. He then bossed the 4-1 semi-final against Toulouse at Bollaert, involved in all four.

He has cast this run as collective and personal, aiming to end a club trophy drought. Defeats with Marseille in the 2016 Coupe de France, 2-4 to PSG, and the 2018 Europa League, 0-3 to Atlético Madrid, have honed his focus for the Stade de France.

Managed carefully after an adductor issue, he delivered an hour in a 4-0 win at Lyon on Sunday, assisting Florian Sotoca and lobbing his 11th Ligue 1 goal. His intensity lifted the team.

Coach Pierre Sage says that after Lens slipped from the title race, Thauvin channelled his energy into preparing for the final and winning a trophy in France would matter greatly, with Sunday’s display proof.

After feeling overlooked during spells with Tigres, 2021-2023, and Udinese, 2023-2025, Friday offers a chance to repay friend and sporting director Jean-Louis Leca for last summer’s opportunity. He has confirmed he will lead Racing in next season’s Champions League, and Lens fans await a crowning night in Saint-Denis.

Source: L'Équipe