Europa League – Helpless, FC Nantes sinks in Friborg

A new disappointment for Nantes. Four days after losing to Monaco (4-1), the Canaries lost on the lawn of Friborg (2-0), on the occasion of the third day of the group stage of the Europa League. A new logical defeat, as the players of Antoine Kombouaré were harmless. This result puts them in a very uncomfortable situation, in third place in group G with three small points. Three lengths from Qarabag, and six units behind Fribourg.

With a five-man defense and a very low defensive block, Nantes had clearly come to Germany to play for a draw. Nothing else. The first period could have validated this strategy. Because for forty-five minutes, Freiburg was practically not dangerous. Just a shot from Kyereh, diverted by Pallois, forced Lafont into a good save (32nd). The only illumination of a very sad first act.

Nantes weighed down by a clumsiness from Chirivella

But after the rest, all Nantes plans were quickly destroyed. Because Doan took advantage of a clumsiness from Chirivella, who stepped on the ball in his area, to ideally serve Kyereh for the opener (1-0, 48th). The current second in the Bundesliga then retained control of the debates and logically widened the gap. Grifo took advantage of Casteletto’s passivity to adjust a shot in the opposite side netting (2-0, 72nd).

The most worrying was the lack of reaction from the Canaries. They have never been able to outwit their opponents. They played at a pace that was far too slow to have any real hope of coming back. We will retain just two opportunities. A face-to-face missed by Guessand after a hazardous German back pass (84th). And a header in the six meters from a corner from Moutoussamy against the empty goal which finished above (88th). With a fourth loss in their last five games (a draw), Nantes is sinking into a downward spiral.