Nantes Vs St.Etienne

Nantes will face off against Saint-Etienne this Sunday afternoon as they look to continue their excellent start to the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign. Nantes, currently positioned fifth in the league table with eight points after five matches, are aiming to build on their solid form. On the other hand, Saint-Etienne are struggling at 17th place, having accumulated just three points from their first five games, with one win and four losses to their name.

Match Preview

Nantes have had a tumultuous few seasons in Ligue 1, where consistency has often been hard to come by. The club has been flirting with relegation for the better part of the last few years. They narrowly avoided the drop in three of the last four seasons—2020-21, 2022-23, and 2023-24. However, they managed to turn things around in the 2021-22 campaign, securing a respectable ninth-place finish and earning a coveted spot in European competition, offering a glimpse of their potential.

Antoine Kombouaré, a familiar face in Nantes' coaching dugout, returned to the club in March 2024 after previously managing the team from February 2021 to May 2023. His return came at a critical time for the club, and while he struggled toward the end of last season, winning only two of their final eight Ligue 1 matches, he has overseen a more positive start this time around.

The Canaries, as Nantes are affectionately called, have earned two wins, two draws, and suffered just one defeat in their first five games, accumulating eight points in total. This solid start has placed them in the upper reaches of the Ligue 1 table, currently fifth. However, their standing is precarious, as a slip-up could see them drop to as low as 13th place depending on other results across the weekend.

Despite this uncertainty, Kombouaré will be confident heading into Sunday’s clash. His side has shown promising signs, and given the struggles of their upcoming opponents, this game presents an excellent opportunity for Nantes to maintain their positive momentum. Their form has been encouraging, and Kombouaré will be hoping to capitalise on their opponents’ weaknesses.

Saint-Etienne, historically one of France’s most successful football clubs, find themselves in a precarious position in their first season back in the top flight after a miserable relegation campaign in 2021-22. Following their demotion to Ligue 2, Saint-Etienne battled their way back to Ligue 1 after winning the promotion playoffs last season. However, their return to France’s premier football competition has been anything but smooth.

Olivier Dall’Oglio, the manager tasked with guiding Saint-Etienne through their first season back in Ligue 1, has experienced a baptism of fire. After five matches, his team has managed just one win, while suffering four losses, leaving them sitting precariously in 17th place. With just three points on the board, Saint-Etienne are in danger of being sucked into an early relegation battle unless they can quickly reverse their form.

There was a brief glimmer of hope for Saint-Etienne on matchday four when they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lille, a team that has traditionally been a strong force in Ligue 1. That victory provided some optimism for Dall’Oglio’s side, suggesting that they may have the ability to compete at this level. However, any momentum they may have built from that win was completely demolished in their next outing. In an astonishing collapse, Saint-Etienne were thrashed 8-0 by Nice, a result that not only shattered the team’s confidence but also laid bare their glaring defensive vulnerabilities.

That humiliating defeat means Saint-Etienne have now conceded a staggering 15 goals in just five games, marking the worst defensive start to a season in the club’s long history. Their porous defence has been the primary cause of their early-season struggles, and unless Dall’Oglio can find a way to shore things up at the back, Saint-Etienne’s return to Ligue 1 may be short-lived.

For Dall’Oglio, the challenge now is not only tactical but psychological. His team must somehow find the resilience to bounce back from their chastening defeat to Nice and go into Sunday’s match with a renewed sense of purpose. While they will enter the contest as underdogs, they will be desperate to avoid another heavy defeat and begin the process of turning their season around.

Nantes’ Journey and Tactical Setup

Nantes' recent history has been one of ups and downs, with relegation battles and fleeting moments of triumph. The 2021-22 season offered a rare high point for the club, as they finished ninth in Ligue 1 and secured European football. However, that season has proven to be the exception rather than the norm, as Nantes have otherwise been mired in struggles to stay in the top flight.

Under Antoine Kombouaré, the team has made some improvements in the early stages of the current campaign. Kombouaré is known for his pragmatic approach to management, often prioritising defensive solidity and organisation. However, this season has seen a more balanced Nantes side, capable of producing moments of attacking brilliance while maintaining discipline at the back.

One of Nantes’ key strengths this season has been their ability to adapt their tactics depending on the opposition. Against stronger teams, they have shown a willingness to sit deeper and play on the counter-attack, using the pace of their wingers and the creativity of their midfield to hit teams on the break. In games where they are expected to dominate possession, Nantes have displayed more attacking intent, pressing higher up the pitch and creating scoring opportunities through patient build-up play.

The versatility of their approach has been one of the reasons for their early success. Kombouaré will likely set up his team to control the game against Saint-Etienne, taking advantage of their opponents' defensive frailties. The manager will be hoping his side can take an early lead, which would allow them to dictate the tempo of the game and force Saint-Etienne into uncomfortable situations.

Key players for Nantes in this match include their striker, who has been in fine form in front of goal, and their captain, whose leadership and defensive prowess have been crucial in their solid start. Kombouaré will rely on these players to inspire the team and guide them to another victory.

Saint-Etienne’s Struggles and Tactical Issues

For Saint-Etienne, the return to Ligue 1 has been nothing short of a nightmare. Olivier Dall’Oglio is facing an uphill battle to stabilise the team and avoid a second relegation in three seasons. The defensive issues that have plagued them so far are a major cause for concern, with 15 goals conceded in just five games—a record that threatens to derail their season before it has truly begun.

Tactically, Saint-Etienne have struggled to find the right balance between attack and defence. In their desperate bid to stay competitive in matches, they have often left themselves exposed at the back, with disastrous consequences. The 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Nice was the culmination of these defensive shortcomings, and it is clear that Dall’Oglio must prioritise tightening up his backline if his team is to stand any chance of survival.

Going forward, Saint-Etienne have shown flashes of potential, particularly in their 1-0 victory over Lille. However, their attacking play has lacked consistency, and their forwards have been starved of service in most games. The midfield, often overrun by more experienced opposition, has struggled to maintain control of matches, putting even more pressure on the defence.

For Sunday’s match, Dall’Oglio will likely adopt a more cautious approach, aware of the need to avoid another heavy defeat. His focus will be on keeping things tight at the back, limiting Nantes’ chances, and trying to hit their opponents on the break. While this strategy may be effective in stemming the flow of goals, it remains to be seen whether Saint-Etienne have the attacking quality to trouble a solid Nantes defence.

Conclusion

Nantes will enter Sunday’s clash as clear favourites, and their supporters will expect nothing less than a victory against a struggling Saint-Etienne side. Kombouaré’s men have shown enough in their opening five matches to suggest that they can compete for a top-half finish this season, and a win here would further cement their place in the upper reaches of the table.

Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, are in desperate need of a turnaround. After suffering the heaviest defeat in their recent history, Dall’Oglio’s team must find a way to restore some pride and pick up valuable points if they are to avoid a prolonged relegation battle. A positive result against Nantes could provide the spark they need to kickstart their season, but based on current form, that seems a tall order.

With both teams having much at stake, this match promises to be an intriguing contest as Nantes look to continue their positive run, while Saint-Etienne fight to salvage their season.