FC Nantes remain in the relegation zone after slumping to a 3-0 home defeat against Montpellier Hérault SC at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.
FC Nantes 0-3 Montpellier Hérault SC
THE MATCH
Nantes were hoping to pile the pressure on relegation rivals AJ Auxerre as they kicked off knowing a victory here would lift them out of the drop zone above the Burgundy club, who host Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. It was a first home game for Les Canaris since coach Antoine Kombouaré was sacked and replaced by Pierre Aristouy, whose debut on the bench was a 0-0 draw at Toulouse FC a week ago.
However, the day did not start well for Nantes, who saw striker Andy Delort forced off injured inside three minutes, with Mostafa Mohamed taking his place. Montpellier then went ahead seven minutes before half-time. Téji Savanier burst forward from midfield before playing in Jordan Ferri, who slotted calmly past Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont (38’).
Running out of time
Arnaud Nordin then had the ball in the net in first-half stoppage time only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations, but he did get his goal two minutes after the restart as the visitors doubled their lead. Nordin was released in behind Quentin Merlin on the away right by a Joris Chotard pass, before he cut into the box and curled a shot beyond Lafont into the far corner (47’).
Montpellier then made sure of the victory with two minutes of the 90 remaining, and again the goal came down their right. Fabien Centonze was caught napping as Chotard played a pass in behind the Nantes full-back for Falaye Sacko, who finished past the stranded Lafont.
Michel Der Zakarian’s side have now won three and drawn one of their last five games and are 12th, their struggles earlier in the season now but a distant memory. Nantes, however, are running out of time to save their top-flight status.
THE PLAYER: Joris Chotard
Montpellier’s France Under-21 international midfielder deserves an honourable mention for setting up his team’s two second-half goals. Remarkably, the southern side have now scored 11 goals in their last three away games.
THE STAT: 13
Nantes have now failed to win in 13 league games. They have failed to score in their last four.
