Nantes could not crack AS Monaco (0-0)
FC Nantes launched this Sunday at home its second part of the championship against an opponent who is not the easiest to play, AS Monaco. A top-of-the-table game, which has never been able to settle down.
To start the year 2022 in Ligue 1, Antoine Kombouaré has changed his starting XI somewhat. Five defenders were lined up (Quentin Merlin and Fabio on the sides, Pallois, Girotto and Appiah in the center), Moutoussamy and Roli Pereira de Sa accompanied Chirivella in the midfield. In the absence of Moses Simon, who left for CAN, the Nantes attack was in the hands of the duo Blas – Kolo-Muani.
The start of the meeting was not easy for the Canaries, put in difficulty by the ambitious Monegasques, for the first match in Ligue 1 of their new coach Philippe Clement. Without threatening Alban Lafont more than that (despite a good stop at the start of the match), the Principality’s players deprived their opponents of the ball. Strong defensively, the Nantes residents have been able to contain these Monegasque tendencies. Andrei Girotto was notably the author of a good performance, as was Quentin Merlin. Fabio, however, took the water, and was replaced by Sébastien Corchia at half-time.
A lack of realism in the face of diminished Monegasques
Antoine Kombouaré’s men have more or less control of the match thereafter. In the second half, Nantes had many opportunities to clear the score, but mistakes or good Monegasque defensive efforts blocked the Jaune-et-Vert from scoring. The visitors suffered during the last ten minutes of the match, diminished by injuries. They ended the meeting 10 against 11 and resisted the increasingly numerous Nantes attacks. But none of these offensives were dangerous enough for Nantes to win their first league match of 2022.
Despite this, this draw obtained against AS Monaco allows the Nantes to stay in contact with their opponents in the evening standings (one point separates the two teams), and to keep their place in the top 10, for the moment.