This weekend, FC Nantes has a very important meeting for its survival in Ligue 1. A trip to AS Saint-Etienne which could weigh heavily in the fight for survival. But also in the balance sheet of Waldemar Kita. Explanation.
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FC Nantes has not experienced defeat in Ligue 1 during this year 2025. And even if the Canaries are standing still, the two draws obtained against Lille (1-1) and Monaco (2-2) have value taking into account the adversaries encountered. However, it will be necessary to restart the victory machine from Sunday against a direct competitor to maintain: ASSE. An opponent who has a particular flavor for the president, Waldemar Kita.
-ASSE has changed coach…
In this difficult and heavy fight for maintenance, FC Nantes and ASSE took two different paths this winter. The Canaries once thought about changing coaches (Sergio Conceiçao, Habib Beye, Zoumana Camara) but ultimately did not take the plunge. Maintained in his position, Antoine Kombouaré saw a new deputy arrive (Ahmed Kantari). For its part, ASSE has turned the page on coach Olivier Dall'Oglio. And since the arrival of Eirik Horneland, the Greens have had a convincing victory against Reims (3-1) and a defeat welcomed by Luis Enrique (“I would like to congratulate ASSE because I really liked the way they entered the match. By performing high pressing. I think they played a great match.”) against PSG (2-1). The Saint-Etienne revival is obvious and the match against Nantes will be a new opportunity to prove it.
One more snub for Kita?
Faced with the same difficulties, FC Nantes and ASSE took two different trajectories. This Sunday's match will be an opportunity to see which of the Canaries or the Stéphanois have made the best decision… On paper, the new impetus brought by the new coach, Eirik Horneland, seems much more convincing than the dynamic offered by Antoine Kombouaré . For Waldemar Kita, it will clearly be a new snub if ASSE wins and outdistances its FCN in the fight for maintenance.
