They did not hide their joy at the end of the derby. Nicolas Pallois, his young defense friend Nathan Zézé, Johann Lepenant and even Matthis Abline, they all came to meet the journalists once the game ended this Sunday evening against Rennes. A victorious derby for the Canaries (1-0) and a first victory in the championship since the end of Augustwhich is to say an eternity. “A liberation”for the young midfielder Johann Lepenant.
A moment of deliverance afterwards the jewel of the Nantes virtuoso Moses Simontop scorer (four goals) and best passer (four assists) of the club since the start of the season. He showed again that he was unmissable this Sundayafter eliminating three Rennais before sending a missile into Steve Mandanda’s top corner in the 89th minute of play.At the last moment, I came home, I said to myself, go ahead“, says the Nigerian striker. “After I knocked, I told myself it was good“.
“We’ve been waiting for it for a while”
Moses Simon may still have some hesitations about speaking French, but on the pitch, he leaves no room for doubt. “It’s an individual feat, we also need it in a team. This goal is magnificent“, says his attacking partner Matthis Abline. A tribute to his teammate who puts the entire team back on track. After the draw recovered from the trip to Paristhe Nantes residents follow up with a victory and recover four points in two games.
-“We’ve been waiting for this victory for a while“, for precisely ten matches for defender Nathan Zézé. Despite the big scares at the end of the meeting. Just after Moses Simon’s goal, the old demons chasing FC Nantes resurfaced again. From a corner, in added time, Canary goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren misses his exit and Christopher Wooh takes the opportunity to slip the ball into the back of the net. A goal finally canceled for the Rouge et Noir after an arm movement viewed by the VAR. “We went through all the emotions“, confides Nathan Zézé, replaced at the end of the match. “It’s even more stressful off the field, since we don’t control anything. But this time, we had success with us“.
“Defensively, we are more solid”
At 11 against 10the people of Nantes did not however dominate the game head and shoulders. And had great difficulty realizing their rare opportunities in a dull match, blocked on both sides. Defender Nicolas Pallois wants to see the glass half full, especially with this five-man defense. “Defensively, we are more solid. Even in transitions, we perhaps go faster forward and we keep the ball a little more. Now we have to be safer and fairer in front of goal.”
Coach Antoine Kombouaré, whose future is still dotted, admits that the game was not the most exciting. “It is a victory in suffering. I told the players, it was going to be painful. And it was done in pain. We can do a lot better, we felt the excitement in the game. But when you are tough, you can win matches from set pieces or from an individual exploit. And there, today, it turned into an achievement with three extremely important points for us”.
Three crucial points which allow us to at least end the year on a good note at home, before an equally important trip next Sunday in Brest for the last draw in the championship before the holidays. The Yellows have not yet completely reassured themselves in the game, but they are finally taking points. A nice early Christmas gift.
