In a Nantes cauldron heated to the limit and adorned equally in yellow and green to celebrate its 40th anniversary – the canaries produced a full but frustrating match.
“Last year they would have lost it. This year, they draw. Next year they will win it“. The analysis of my neighbor at the stadium after the match ultimately summed up quite well the feeling I had about a match which will inevitably have left us at the end or hungry, with shared but very different feelings. from those of past years.
Archi-domination
The people of Nantes were hungry, that’s for sure. The first thirty minutes were to the advantage of the Nantes team, well on their feet and increasing their attacks. Lepenant came to materialize this arch domination in the 10th minute but the Nantais unfortunately did not manage to double the lead. It would have been a boxing match and the first round was largely won on points.
The start of the second half cemented this points advantage with a goal from Thomas. With two goals to zero, no one would have imagined a reassembled from a very weak Saint-Etienne team without much imagination. But the fault of bad luck, perhaps a refereeing interpretation or not, allowed the Stéphanois to return to a game in which they had not been much involved.
Hopes and regrets
The two teams parted in a draw which should only leave Nantes with regrets. But also a lot of hopes. No one will have missed the rise in power of the Nantes team. Antoine Kombouaré’s work is starting to pay off with quality players.
If this team is not yet completely mature, it gives hope for a much more interesting season than in past years. After 6 days, Nantes is 7th. A place in the first part of the table that we hope he won’t leave.
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