This Tuesday, April 1, Paris Saint-Germain (1st in Ligue 1) take on Dunkerque (5th in Ligue 2) at Stade Pierre-Mauroy (kick-off 9.10pm, UTC+1) in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France 2024-2025. And as before every match, here’s a presentation of the Parisians’ opponents.
Dunkerque’s situation –
Founded in 1919, USL Dunkerque has had its ups and downs, but has never played in the top flight of French soccer. Since 2013, it has only been in Ligue 2, with the exception of the 2021-2022 season. Significantly, the club was bought by Turkish club Amissos in 2023.
This season, with coach Luis Castro (who arrived in 2023 after having spent most of his career with Benfica’s U19 and B teams), the club is aiming for promotion. The Dunkirkers are in 4th place and still have real hope.
Finally, we note the presence of Alec Georgen, a 26-year-old right-back who trained with PSG and left in 2019.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals :
The 2024/2025 winter mercato –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Dunkerque has the 5th-best attack in the league with 41 goals scored (first-placed Lorient has 51, last-placed Martigues 22), and is among the 10th-best defenders with 36 goals conceded (Metz has the best defense with 22, last-placed Rodez 45).
Dunkirk’s top scorer is Naatan Skyttä (22-year-old attacking midfielder), and with 7 goals is 15th in the league (Ligue 2’s top scorer is Jean-Philippe Krasso of Paris FC, with 13 goals). Key Tejan (28-year-old striker) is the Dunkirk club’s best passer with 4 assists, and is 13th in Ligue 2 (Alpha Sissoko, at Guingamp, is first with 8 assists).
Last 5 Dunkerque matches –
Only Dunkerque possession is shown and Dunkerque shots are put first (when data is available).
26/02/2025 (Coupe de France) – Brest/Dunkerque: 2-3. In 4-1-4-1. 45% possession. 13 shots including 3 on target vs. 13 shots (1 on target).
03/03/2025 (Ligue 2) – Ajaccio (down to 10 at 82nd minute, 1-2)/Dunkerque: 1-2. In 4-1-4-1. 61% possession. 9 shots including 3 on target vs. 11 shots (3 on target).
10/03/2025 (Ligue 2) – Rodez/Dunkerque (down to 10 at the 27th minute, 0-1)): 5-1. In 4-1-4-1. 58% possession. 9 shots including 1 on target vs. 18 shots (9 on target).
15/03/2025 (Ligue 2) – Dunkerque/Metz: 2-3. In 4-1-4-1. 52% possession. 14 shots including 5 on target versus 10 shots (6 on target).
28/03/2025 (Ligue 2) – Bastia/Dunkerque: 2-0. In 4-1-4-1. 66% possession. 11 shots including 1 on target vs. 14 shots (8 on target).
The squad and the probable team.
The line-up according to the press in 4-1-4-1 (L’Equipe) :
Courtet
Yassine – Bardela – Skyttä – Al Saad
Queiros
Abner – Sasso – Sangante – Georgen
Jaouen
Dunkirk’s style of play.
Coach Luis Castro’s ambitious approach is to build from the back and link up passes, without forgetting to press and play high when the ball is lost. Even going so far as to play offside with its line of defenders.
However, it may take a little getting used to against a PSG that is of course dangerous if it has space. But changing the idea of the game can also be very disruptive, and above all lead to frustration. We can therefore expect intensity and a desire to play to the maximum. Even if we’re eliminated, we’ll still have to give everything we’ve got in our usual philosophy of play.
