PSG, Auxerre hope to save year in cup

PARIS (Reuters) -- Paris St Germain and AJ Auxerre have a chance to save their disappointing seasons with the promise of European football if they win the French Cup final on Saturday.

Both sides failed to clinch a UEFA Cup berth from their league positions with PSG finishing the season in 11th place and Auxerre ending sixth.

PSG last won the league title in 1994, with Auxerre being crowned champions seven years ago.

"Saturday's game is just the opportunity to win something and to qualify for the UEFA Cup," said Auxerre manager Guy Roux.

"But I won't say it's the biggest match of my life. Since 1996, Auxerre have been among the elite even if we have had some bad years."

Roux's side, who will be at full strength for the match, have a slight psychological advantage after beating PSG 2-0 in the last league match of the season on Saturday.

France striker Olivier Kapo hit a double to seal his side's victory.

Auxerre, who reached the fourth round of last season's UEFA Cup, when they were knocked out by Liverpool, had not expected to do so well in the French Cup as Roux had put the competition quite low on his agenda.

"The Cup was not one of my priorities this year, far from it," Roux said. "We were in the UEFA Cup and we were doing pretty well in the league.

"We didn't need extra matches but sometimes you don't have any choice."

Saturday's match will be the last for PSG coach Luis Fernandez, who leaves the club after 2-1/2 years.

Fernandez is to be replaced by Vahid Halilhodzic who helped Stade Rennes avoid relegation this season.

 

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