Coupe de France exit must ´fuel and motivate´ Strasbourg, says O´Neil

Strasbourg head coach Gary O’Neil has urged his side to use their Coupe de France exit as fuel and motivation for the remainder of the season.

O’Neil’s side lost 2-0 to Nice in the semi-final of the cup on Wednesday, with Elye Wahi’s brace making the difference at Stade de la Meinau.

Nice won the xG battle 1.64 to 1.25, though the visitors’ tally was largely boosted by Wahi’s penalty in the 82nd minute.

Strasbourg registered more shots (17 to four), big chances (five to three) and touches in the opposition box (31 to 19), but could not find the back of the net.

Although O’Neil felt Strasbourg deserved to win the showpiece, he believes his side can learn from the loss ahead of their Conference League semi-final first leg against Rayo Vallecano next week.

“We were the better team, we only conceded three shots on target and we had a huge number of clear chances,” said O’Neil.

“We would have won this match nine times out of ten, so I’m proud of my players, but football can be very cruel.

“I feel enormous disappointment for them and for our supporters, who are truly extraordinary and whom I will never forget.”

“This defeat against Nice must fuel us and motivate us even more to progress and improve what didn’t work.

“The fans need to continue supporting us like this. We’re sorry we can’t take them to the Stade de France, but we’ll do everything we can to make this season memorable nonetheless.”

FT. Our @coupedefranceCA journey comes to an end at the semi-final stage.

– #RCSAOGCN pic.twitter.com/pGE0XvoOoq

— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) April 22, 2026

Nice will face Lens in the Coupe de France final, with the former looking to win the competition for the first time since 1997.

Nice boss Claude Puel hailed the two-goal performance of Wahi, who he believes can make an impact in the showpiece.

“We have very few players capable of making a difference offensively and scoring goals. Elye is a real asset that we sorely missed during the month and a half he was out,” said Puel.

“The goal in this match was first to show our solidity, to disrupt this very talented Strasbourg team, and then to bring on attacking players to hurt them.

“We wasted a few chances in the first half, but we were clinical in the second. We knew what to expect and we rose to the occasion.”