There will have been worse hangovers this weekend. After a heady Saturday night at Stade de la Beaujoire - and there are few arenas in France that whip up such an intoxicating atmosphere at their best - Nantes supporters will have woken up, rubbed their eyes and been able to see their side in fifth position in the league. Moreover, Les Canaris were divided from third, the final Champions League place, only by goal difference.
“We’re staying ambitious,” coach Michel Der Zakarian told beIN Sports after the win over Lorient, which stretched his team’s unbeaten run to 15 in all competitions (12 in the league - only PSG (26) are on a longer run). “There are a number of teams who are aiming for the top five, so why FC Nantes as well?”
On that current run, they have every right to aim even higher. The 24-point gap between champions Paris Saint-Germain and the rest is such that almost every side has a right to dream, but one that emerges from the pack to put together a run of consistency can be especially emboldened.
Nantes were many observers’ bet for a dark horse this season, but the final few weeks of the summer seemed to put paid to that, with outstanding defender Papy Djilobodji’s departure followed by the less expected exit of key midfielder Jordan Veretout after the Beaujoire club received a irrefutable offer from Aston Villa.
At least they finally had the chance to make some moves themselves following the completion of the FIFA-imposed player signing ban stemming from the Ismaël Bangoura affair. Arrivals included the experienced Lorik Cana and quality youngsters in the form of Adrien Thomasson from Evian and Adryan from Flamengo, via a previous loan period at Leeds.
Yet the most important reinforcements were in the striking department. Nantes finished 14th last campaign despite a paltry 29 goals scored in 38 games, which followed a underwhelming 38 in 38 in 2013/14. Goalscoring has been a long-term problem for Der Zakarian, with the ruinous consequences of Bangoura’s signing - he scored just twice for the club in Ligue 1 after arriving in January 2012 - nowhere near justified.
Hardly being prolific is not, of course, an impediment to succeeding in France. After promoted Angers shot up to the dizzying heights of second while scoring less than a goal per game, Nantes are following suit, beginning the weekend with 24 goals in 25 games. They one of four teams in the division to be scoring at a rate of less than one goal per match.
The arrivals of Emiliano Sala and especially Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, the latter from Ajax, were supposed to lift the team to greater heights, but the jury is out on both to say the least. Sigthorsson, who will hope to fire Iceland’s Euro 2016 challenge in France, has really been under the microscope and has been on the end of some strong criticism from his coach.
“You can’t perform well when you don’t train properly,” Der Zakarian told Ouest-France before Christmas. Sigthorsson has vowed to improve, and has scored two of his three Ligue 1 goals to date in this calendar year. The 25-year-old was also on the mark in the stunning 4-3 win at Bordeaux in the Coupe de France in midweek, yet the boss continues to keep him on his toes, leaving him on the bench in favour of Sala for Saturday.
That Coupe de France match had been indicative of how the unbeaten run is clearly growing confidence in the final third. The display against Lorient was one of smooth efficiency and the nine shots Nantes fashioned from just 47% of possession should have yielded more goals. It was hard to argue with Der Zakarian’s decision to pick Sala.
Nantes’ star man with a WhoScored rating or 8.21, the Argentinian had the team set up perfectly for him. One of the side’s biggest strengths is attacking down the wings and the eventual winning goal, with Sala’s powerful header finishing an inviting Thomasson delivery from the right, underlined this. In fact, all of the front four in Nantes’ 4-2-3-1 contributed heavily. Adryan opened the scoring after converting Alejandro Bedoya’s cross at the end of a sparkling move.
US midfielder Bedoya was another one invited to pull his socks up by Der Zakarian pre-Christmas, with the coach expressing frustration at his midfielder’s difficulties in balancing international and club demands. He has been rewarded by a consistent run of form, with Bedoya now having registered four goals and two assists in his last seven matches.
When one examines Der Zakarian’s bluntness, it’s no great leap to think it’s a consequence of his own situation. His deal runs out at the end of the season and despite his clear desire to have his future decided one way or another, president Waldemar Kita has shown little inclination to put an end to the matter. Perhaps with good reason - Der Zakarian, in his second spell at the club, appears to be a different animal when throwing caution to the wind. At present, Nantes are reaping the benefits.
Whether president and coach are willing to admit it or not, they’re a pretty good team. A winter arrival - midfielder Guillaume Gillet - has arguably been their outstanding pick-up to date, starring in his seven Ligue 1 games since arriving. A midfielder with evident defensive qualities - he made two tackles, two interceptions and three clearances against Lorient - he also has an attacking side to his game which comes to the fore in better sides. Gillet struck three Europa League goals for Anderlecht this season before moving and came very close to another against Lorient.
There is plenty still to decide about Nantes. What’s their best XI? Who will be the coach next season? For now, all that matters is that this proud club is finally giving its fervent support something to shout about again.
Can Nantes continue their excellent run of form to secure a Champions League finish? Let us know in the comments below
