FC Nantes | Stade Brestois 29 – FC Nantes (0-0)

The final sprint is launched in this Ligue 1 Uber Eats! Three matches for Antoine Kombouaré’s men to maintain their place in the elite of French football, three immense challenges. The first this evening, on the pitch of Stade Brestois 29, surprising 3rd in L1 and already assured of competing in a European Cup next season. But the Yellow and Green, comfortable away from home, intend to deliver an XXL performance to strike a big blow at the bottom of the table!

The start of the game is tough and both teams are trying to leave their mark on the start of the game. The battle rages in the middle. Guaranteed to be European next season, the locals are the first to light the fuse by Locko. The full-back’s powerful shot was brilliantly repelled by Lafont, solid (9′). The Nantes players play quick transitions, notably through Abline but the attacker is closely squeezed by the Brest defense. Eric Roy’s men tried their luck on a set piece but Camara’s header flew off target (20′). FC Nantes tries to move forward but struggles to approach Bizot’s cages. Kadewere’s long-range attempt flies away (30′), while Mounié’s header lacks power (37′). On a percussion of which he has the secret, Abline is not far from putting the Yellow and Green in control of this game but his ball stung in front of Bizot, does not catch the target (40′). A few seconds later, Abline, still himself, did not manage to straighten the leather sufficiently after having eliminated the last rampart of the SB29… (42′). United but clumsy in the last gesture, the Canaries return to the locker room with this scoreless draw.

When returning to play, no changes were to be reported on the Nantes side. The Brestois have the ball but the evening visitors have opportunities to play by going after the opposing defense high up. Nantes is aggressive and responds to the physical challenge imposed. The debates are balanced and the minutes pass slowly but surely. It must be said that clear opportunities have been awaited on both sides since the restart. Twenty minutes from time, Antoine Kombouaré made three changes with the entries of Mollet, Chirivella and Mohamed. Nantes, eye-catching, plays as a block, grouped together and leaves the leather to the locals. On a quick transition, Mohamed sends a cross behind the Brestois’ backs. But Kadewere, at the far post, failed to take over correctly by a few centimeters, with a very damp pitch (83′)… On a final incursion from Brest, Cozza, who had entered the game a few minutes earlier, made the necessary gesture in the surface (90+2′). Yes, FC Nantes were solid this evening in Finistère!

Next match for Antoine Kombouaré’s players, Sunday May 12 (9 p.m.), at the Stade de la Beaujoire against LOSC, for the 33rd day. A final meeting at home, to be negotiated very well!

33
After its evening draw in Brest, FC Nantes (33) is now 4 points ahead of 16th, Metz (29). In the 5 Ligue 1 seasons played with a play-off at the end of the season since its reintroduction in 2016/17, a club having been at least 4 points ahead of the play-off with 2 matches remaining has never had to play the play-offs at the end of the season.

8
FC Nantes have gleaned 8 points in Ligue 1 since Antoine Kombouaré returned to the bench, 1 more than in the 12 matches preceding his appointment. All these points were taken away from home, making the Canaries the 3rd best away team over the period in the elite, behind Montpellier (10) and Toulouse (9).

4
The last 4 clean sheets achieved by FC Nantes in Ligue 1 were during matches away from its bases (in Reims, Lorient, Le Havre and Brest), while the previous 3 had been obtained at home.

Antoine KOMBOUARÉ, Coach of FC Nantes: “We can have a mixed feeling. Very happy to have taken a point. There was room in the first half. But we are very happy to have taken a point, especially when we see our cushion of 4 points on Metz. Now, at worst, we will make the play-offs. That’s good news, but we can’t be content with that.