On Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain faced Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire in a late match on Matchday 29 of the Ligue 1 2024-2025. Nantes coach Antoine Kombouaré spoke to the press after the 1-1 draw (video summary Nantes/PSG).
Kombouaré: “We never gave up and deserved the draw”.
How did you feel after the match?
Pride, a lot of pride. Because I didn’t expect this performance from my players. I saw the last few minutes and we were in a bit of trouble. I asked them to play a big collective game, to be very strong together and solid defensively. They did better than that.
We were solid, but we were also able to develop our game and create situations for ourselves. And we did it in difficult conditions, because when you’re behind PSG, it’s a tough task. But we never gave up, and we deserved the draw.
Kombouaré: “It’s a great performance.
What did you say at half-time ?
To keep believing and, above all, to do what we have to do. We changed our organization to 4-3-3. We had duos on the flanks. We were able to score by playing a quick one-touch ball. We believed. With the draw, we’re back to 5 behind. This point is vital in the race to stay up.
It was a bonus match and today we can say that we’ve taken 2 points out of 6 against PSG, which is a great performance. Now I’m waiting for the players to come up trumps, because we need to validate this performance with a win against Toulouse.
Is it frustrating to see what this group can do against Paris ?
Yes, but that’s the way it is with this group. They need to be challenged, piqued a bit. Now I’m waiting to see what they can do on Sunday. That’s the story of this team. Above all, we have to work to stay up, and then a lot of things will happen. (…)
We were rewarded for our efforts, we took the draw with character and collective strength. At last!
Kombouaré: “They have everything they need to reach the final and win it.
A sharper second half ?
When you play PSG, let’s face it, they average almost 4 goals a game. So there’s a fear of being corrected. But if we keep our score close over time, we know we’ll have opportunities. We had to be patient and solid.
Can PSG win the Champions League ?
We went out and got a draw, because we believed in it all the time. The goal rewards us, and we deserved the draw. As for PSG, I’ll always be a big fan, and I’d love to see them finally win the Champions League. But they know it’s going to be very complicated. That’s all the bad news I wish them.
This year, in any case, they have everything they need to reach the final and win it. But among the last 4 teams, there are no favourites. It’s going to come down to the details. We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed that success will be on our side.
Kombouaré “I’m impressed because they’re capable of doing.”
PSG’s away record ?
It’s monstrous, historic. Well done to them. And I’m worried about our Nantes record of 32 games unbeaten in a season. They’ve got enough records, they can leave some for us. PSG are out of the competition, they were champions in advance. I’m impressed by what they can do. They have what it takes to finally win the Champions League.
