Baup wary ahead of Rouen tie

21 January 2013 19:37

Marseille head coach Elie Baup has warned his players to be careful ahead of their Coupe de France clash with Rouen on Tuesday.

Having lost Loic Remy to Queens Park Rangers last week, Baup will be forced to cope without one of his better players but the trip to Rouen remains his primary focus.

Rouen, who play in France's third tier of football, the Championnat National, defeated Ajaccio on penalties to reach the final 32 of the Coupe de France and Baup is wary of the threat they will pose his team.

"The weather, the opponent and everything else makes it a typical cup game," Baup said on Monday.

"Historically, each year, you always get two or three division three teams that will do well in the cup.

"They start by beating a Ligue 1 team and then they get the momentum, so you have to be really careful.

"It will be really hard for us and we have to be ready for it."

The departure of Remy to England mirrors the moves of Stephane M'bia to QPR and Cesar Azpilcueta to Chelsea in recent years.

While he is frustrated with the situation, Baup remains resigned to the fact the disparity in finances between the Premier League and Ligue 1 means players will always be tempted to leave France for England.

"I won't be original but if you follow what's happening since the start of (the transfer window), the trend is that the best young players, the ones with a bright future or already proven, they go to England," Baup said.

"And I think that this summer, sadly for our football, there may be even more players going to Premier League."