Toulouse slump to six without a win as Cup semi-final looms | OneFootball

Toulouse’s Ligue 1 slide continued as a 1-0 defeat to Marseille made it six without a win, three days after their Coupe de France semi-final qualification.

According to L'Équipe, a solid first half of the season leaves them 12 points clear of Auxerre in the play-off spot, though hopes of Europe via the league have faded. At the Stadium, the mood has shifted to thoughts of the cup.

Despite Charlie Cresswell’s absence, Toulouse threatened from a 10th-minute set piece, but Mason Greenwood beat Guillaume Restes on 18. After the break, Yann Gboho hit the bar on 53 and Toulouse managed only two shots on target, from Demba Diop on 68 and Mario Sauer on 87.

Aron Dönnum felt they should have won, noting chances came, while Marseille scored from one of few openings, and he likened it to Wednesday at the Vélodrome. Restes admitted regrets but saw a solid second half to build on.

Carles Martinez Novell argued his side gave the maximum, yet stressed that quality stems from confidence, which was lacking on Saturday. He also cited fatigue, highlighted by early withdrawals for Emersonn and Cristian Casseres, and accepted set pieces cannot decide every match.

They have four defeats in five, one point, matched only by Metz who have a game in hand. Lens await in the semi-final on 21 April at Bollaert, and an away setting may suit given five blanks in their last eight league home games.

Source: L'Équipe