Vahid Halilhodzic, the FC Nantes coach, held a press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against Brest (5:15 pm). He was asked to discuss Paris Saint-Germain, whom Nantes will face next Wednesday in a rescheduled match from Matchday 26 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season (kick-off at 7 pm, CET). As is often the case, he made some particularly pointed remarks.
Halilhodzic: “In one match, you can beat Paris, but over two matches, it’s impossible.”
“In one match, you can beat Paris, but over two matches, it’s impossible. No team in the world can. Sometimes, they have a bit of youth and they can get a little cocky, and we can take advantage of that. But otherwise, over two matches, it’s impossible. Because as soon as they get cocky, they bring on another, even better player. What a joy to coach.”
Halilhodzic’s point is easy to understand. It’s always possible to win a football match, even against a PSG side that’s often very impressive. There can be an exceptionally successful night, or the Parisians might be a little off their game. Even if that’s not necessarily due to the “ego” mentioned by the former Parisian coach.
In any case, they have a very deep squad, with plenty of options on the bench to turn a match around. And it’s very difficult to face a PSG side out of form twice in a row. Fortunately for Nantes, currently fighting to avoid relegation, there’s only one match left this season, and the hope of an upset. Even if it will, of course, be very difficult.
