Paris Saint-Germain defeated Nantes 1–0 at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday in the opening matchday of the 2025–26 Ligue 1 season. After the game, Nantes head coach Luis Castro spoke at the press conference. While acknowledging areas that still need work, he highlighted some positives from his team’s performance.
Castro: “Paris didn’t really create many big chances.”
What’s your feeling after this defeat against PSG?
“We can do better. We defended well, Paris didn’t really create many big chances. Even on the goal, in the end, the shot was deflected. They didn’t have very clear opportunities. Defensively I think it was good, but offensively we need to do more.
When we reach the final 30 meters, we need to be able to offer something different. But overall, we played a coherent match and we would have deserved a draw.”
Castro: “We are clearly still a work in progress.”
Do you feel this game, despite the defeat, provides a good foundation moving forward?
“We are clearly still evolving. We need time to produce good things. I also remind you that many players arrived during the summer—Chidozie (Awaziem), Johann (Lepenant)… many of those who started today joined late in the process. And let’s not forget that the playing style is different from last season’s. With time, it will get better.” (comments relayed by Ouest-France)
For coach Luis Castro, there were encouraging signs, as his squad showed strong mentality against a PSG side that is always difficult to face. Of course, he would have preferred a different result and more attacking threat. The idea, however, was first and foremost to defend well.
Castro is still at the beginning of a major rebuilding process, but he was able to identify foundations to build upon. Against other opponents, there will be more room for expression. There is still a lot of work ahead, but the key is not to dwell on this result and instead focus on the future—using this match as a learning opportunity to grow.
