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COUPE DE FRANCE

Unai Emery thinks next Monaco Cup test will be decisive

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery says the Coupe de France semi-final against Monaco will finally decide the running battle between the two clubs
Monaco-PSG live online

Ben Arfa
CHARLY TRIBALLEAUAFP

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery believes that this month's Coupe de France semi-final against Monaco will finally decide the running battle between the rivals.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery.
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Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery.CHARLY TRIBALLEAUAFP

PSG aiming for domestic treble

PSG are chasing a third consecutive clean sweep of domestic honours and are a third of the way there after hammering free-scoring Monaco 4-1 in last weekend's Coupe de la Ligue final. But Monaco are three points ahead at the top of Ligue 1 and the two teams must do it all over again after Wednesday's draw pitted them together in the last four of the Coupe de France later this month. Even a domestic treble may not save Emery from the sack after one season in Paris, following the calamitous Champions League exit to Barcelona.

“Monaco at home, with our supporters, I think that's a really attractive semi-final”, said the Spanish coach, after a double from recalled Hatem Ben Arfa put the holders on the way to a 4-0 away win over third division outfit Avranches in Wednesday's quarter final potential trick match. “It's a good match for all the supporters of PSG and Monaco to repeat a big game like the final of the League Cup was and also to demonstrate which side is the best”.

PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in full flight
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PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in full flightCHARLY TRIBALLEAUAFP

Monaco, 87 goals in 30 league games

Monaco and PSG have met three times this campaign already. Early in the season Monaco, the most prolific scorers in Europe's top leagues, stunned reigning champions PSG 3-1 at home in Ligue 1. The two sides drew 1-1 in Paris in the return fixture, before Emery's men punished Monaco last weekend.

The other Coupe de France semi-final tie is also an all-Ligue 1 showdown, with Angers playing Guingamp. The matches will take place on 25 and 26 April.