Monaco, Rennes and Nantes, three matches, three atmospheres
The three French clubs engaged in the Europa League do not have the same pressure before approaching the 3rd day. Overview.
Monaco, possible candidate?
This year, the stakes will be high for Monaco. After failing in the round of 16 against the modest Braga team, the Rock club had largely disappointed. For the second time in a row, ASM fell in the Champions League play-off and wants to catch up. With an affordable group (Ferencvaros, Trabzonspor and Belgrade), ASM must be keen to redeem themselves. Only, it seems difficult to predict Monegasque performances this season, which are very irregular, and above all better away than at home. Even in Europe, they win in the cauldron of Belgrade, but get trapped late in the game at Louis II against Ferencvaros.
Perhaps traumatized by the defeat against Eindhoven in the play-off, or motivated by the desire to redeem themselves, what emotion will prevail in the young Monaco locker room. With an average starting age of 24.8 years (2nd youngest in Ligue 1), we can hope that the ardor of youth will lead ASM to the last four.
Another issue at the club, reputed to be a real gold mine in Europe, is to highlight its nuggets (Badiashile, Fofana and Camara). If they want them to gain experience and value on the market, Monaco has every interest in being seen on a European scale.
Faced with Trabzonspor, Louis II, Philippe Clément’s men (only third) must win to get back on track.
Rennes, the nice surprise?
Already pleasant to watch last year, Stade Rennais failed badly against Leicester in the Conference League after dominating the second leg. Rennes remains the only French team in vain in Europe with Paris and Nice, and begins its 5th campaign in a row in continental competition. All the signals seem to be green for the Bretons, they will have to confirm their bold game plan (82 but last year) since the arrival of Bruno Genesio at the helm. With a complicated start to the season, and several injuries like Jeremy Doku and Arnaud Kalimuendo, Rennes began to turn the tide with a solid draw at the Vélodrome. It remains to be seen how the new Terrier-Gouiri pair will evaluate in front, for a team that usually scores so many goals.
The stakes are clear for the Bretons, prove that Rennes is at European level by going far in this competition. It will also be an opportunity for Lovro Majer, the new Modric, to get noticed. While Arsenal would already be on the coast of the Croatian nugget.
At home against Dynamo kyiv (0 points), we are waiting for a great victory to see the Bretons take a step towards the round of 16.
Nantes, the little thumb in great danger in Friborg
A year and a half ago the Canary Islands were fighting to maintain the European anthem today at La Beaujoire for the first time in 18 years. With a group within reach, they got rid of Olympiakos remarkably in stoppage time in a dominated match.
But the euphoria gave way to the reality of things, Nantes was reframed 3-0 in Azerbaijan against Qarabag. Qualified by a brilliant victory in the Coupe de France, Antoine Kombouaré knows the limits of his team: “We, on is Tom Thumb. We are going to discover and above all work to create surprises, to get out of the game ». he explains. But the tactician believes in his players, and intends to reconnect with the canaries’ brilliant past: “It’s a draw (Olympiakos, Freiburg, Qarabag) which gives strength and energy, we tell ourselves that there is something to play for, it puts a little pressure on us”.
Seeing a strong signal from the first day, the teammates of Ludovic Blas are expected at the turn by their opponents. Disappointing in the league, the stakes are high for the people of Nantes, get their fangs out, and prove that a victory in the Coupe de France is anything but a stroke of luck. It will also be an opportunity to stand out for the nuggets Ludovic Blas and Quentin Merlin (20 years old), still need to get out of this complicated, but affordable group.
In Freiburg, co-leader of the Bundesliga, the task promises to be difficult, if not impossible, for Nantes residents who have been in difficulty since the start of the season. It will take a small miracle, even if the perfume of Europe has aphrodisiac virtues.
Jeremy Baker