Thanks to a snatch victory on the ground of Olympiakos (0-2), the Loire-Atlantique club won its ticket for the play-offs of the competition.
FC Nantes won Thursday evening on the lawn of Olympiakos (0-2) and will play in the play-offs of the final phase of the Europa League, thanks to its success combined with the draw conceded in the other meeting of the group. G by Qarabag against Friborg (1-1).
With goals from Mostafa Mohamed and Ludovic Blas at the end of the game (79th then 90th), the Canaries finished second in group G and will play the play-offs for the final phase of the Europa League (C3) next February against a club knocked out of the Champions League. Nantes absolutely had to win in Greece to continue the adventure in the Europa League, while hoping to do a better result than Qarabag, who received Freiburg at the same time.
Lafont runs the house
Faced with a weak Olympiakos, already eliminated and which fielded a largely reworked team, the Nantes players entered the game well but Guessand’s goal in the 2nd minute, heading a deflection at the far post from a corner, was refused for off-side. Then dominated in the first half, long messy and technically imprecise, the Canaries were able to count on a very good Lafont, author of several decisive saves in front of El Arabi and Bowler.
The entry of Ludovic Blas at half-time changed the face of the game, allowing Nantes to play higher and finally be dangerous. It was on one of his crosses that Mohamed opened the scoring with a header from six meters in the 79th minute. Then the French attacking midfielder took it upon himself to beat Tzolakis with a subtle lob in the 90th, after a combination between Sissoko and Mohamed, ensuring victory for Nantes.
A thrill in Qarabag
Remaining on the lawn at the final whistle, the Canaries were able to exult with their supporters when they learned of the draw between Qarabag and Fribourg. Antoine Kombouaré’s players will know their opponent in this sort of “16th final” of the Europa League during the draw which will be made on Monday in Nyon (Switzerland). Clubs as prestigious as Barcelona, Juventus or Ajax Amsterdam are among the eight teams transferred to C3 at the end of the group stage of the Champions League.