The love of FCN supporters for the Nantes training center is not a legend. Proof of this is, this Wednesday, the exceptional audience expected for the Youth League match between FC Nantes and HJK Helsinki (Finland) in the U19 category, that is to say under 19 years old. More than 12,000 people have reserved their place for this meeting taking place at Beaujoire stadium at 7 p.m.announces the club.
An impressive attendance (even if the tickets are free) which ranks among the European records for youth football oppositions. Many Ligue 1 matches attract fewer spectators.
If FC Nantes evolves in Youth League, it’s because the U19 Canaries were champions of France last year. The qualification against Helsinki will be played back and forth, and the second round will take place on November 22 in the Finnish capital. The winner will face the U19s of a club whose pro team plays in the Champions League in February. In the previous round, the young Nantes had eliminated Lech Poznan (Poland). The return match brought together nearly 2,000 spectators at the Marcel-Saupin stadium in Nantes.
Lens and PSG are also participating in the Youth League this season. It was the Dutch from Alkmaar who won the competition in 2023.