Ludovic Blas, scorer of the Nantes victory. LOIC VENANCE / AFP
The Canaries won this Sunday against the Merlus (1-0), four days before their trip to the lawn of Juve in the Europa League.
In a generally controlled meeting at home, Nantes won 1-0 against Lorient thanks to a beautiful curling strike from Ludovic Blas. The Canaries give themselves some air and take ten points ahead of the red zone. Lorient continues to disappoint and continues with a fourth consecutive game without success.
Nantes had a sense of priorities at the end of the afternoon. While the Canaries travel to Italy next Thursday to face Juventus in a historic round of 16 in the Europa League, Kombouaré’s men have started their match against Lorient well. Florent Mollet very quickly had a very good opportunity with a fine shot at the entrance to the area, deflected by Mannone for a corner (2e0-0).
End of the first period without chills
The Lorient people were well in place defensively but had a lot of trouble getting the ball out. Julien Ponceau still had a great opportunity with his very nice shot from 25 meters which passed a few centimeters from Lafont’s goal (13e, 0-0). The match then gradually balanced out.
Antoine Koumbouaré had to make an early change with the injury of Jean-Charles Castelletto (20e, 0-0). Nicolas Pallois, injured since January 7, made his return to the group, but was too fair to enter the match so early. It was the Brazilian Joao Victor who replaced the Cameroonian. The first period then ended without chills, with the exception of Blas’ shot deflected by Mannone for a corner (37e0-0).
Nantes is preparing ideally before Juventus
Upon returning from the locker room, the dynamic was slightly reversed. Lorient was more enterprising and more dangerous in the offensive phases, without worrying Alban Lafont. It was even Mannone who was once again called upon on a double strike from Andy Delort (60e, 0-0). Ponceau responded with a nice sequence before missing his shot from the left (64e, 0-0). Finally, it was Nantes who found the fault with yet another shot from outside the area.
Ludovic Blas rolled his shot perfectly with his left foot, slightly deflected by Talbi, who ended up in Mannone’s side netting (66e, 0-0). Subsequently, Nantes was content to manage their lead in the score, well helped by timid Lorient. Only Dieng had the opportunity to reduce the mark after a very good movement and a subtle backheel, but that was without taking into account the vigilance of Alban Lafont (83rd, 1-0), author of a good part.
The Canaries can now fully concentrate on the next historic deadline this Thursday, February 16: the sixteenth final of the Europa League against Juventus of Turin.