Antoine Kombouaré, the coach of Nantes, wants to take advantage of playing at home against Brest, this Friday (9 p.m.), in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France. Ninth in the Championship three points from fourth (Strasbourg), Nantes will try to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France on Friday evening against Brest (9 p.m.) after eliminating Sochaux (L2) in the 32nd finals (0-0, 5- 4 on tab) and Vitré (N2) (16th, 2-0, January 2). At La Beaujoire, the Nantes coach hopes to see his team extend its current dynamic (six successes in the last eight matches). read also The round of 16 of the Coupe de France “Is there a more particular excitement during a week of the eighth finals of the Coupe de France?
In any case, we put the Championship on hold and we expect a difficult match with a complicated opponent, who is coming back well. We have the chance to play at home, we must seize this opportunity. We know that after the match, we will be very, very happy or very, very disappointed, whereas in the Championship, you lose, you are disappointed but you know that you can do it again the following weekend. And besides, even the successes we no longer celebrate too much, because we know that there are other matches to come. There, whatever the result, the emotions are stronger and when you have the chance to go to the end, these are memories engraved for life, it’s instantaneous. “At the moment, we’re super happy with the course in the Championship, we have confidence in what we’re doing, but the Cup is another competition” How do you approach it?
With as much seriousness as possible. Brest has just beaten the French champion Lille (2-0, last Saturday) by leaving a big game, they found a defensive base and they have players in front capable of hurting any defense. This is not the Brest encountered at the start of the season (3-1, September 22). We have to surf on our dynamics, by being able to pull off a big defensive game and by being effective offensively like against Lorient on Sunday (4-2), with eight shots on target for four goals. At the moment, we are super happy with our progress in the Championship, we have confidence in what we are doing, but the Cup is another competition, so tackling it in good spirits is one thing, but we have to put in place what it takes to qualify. The abolition of the extension in the Coupe de France does not bother you?
No, it’s good, in addition when you play at 9 p.m. It’s good to go straight to the shots on goal. “Geubbels and Augustin come a long way” How do you perceive the evolution of Willem Geubbels, on loan from Monaco and scorer after coming into play against Lorient on Sunday, and Jean-Kévin Augustin, who remains on two appearances?
These are encouraging trajectories because they are coming back from afar. For Willem, who was often injured, now we don’t talk about his problems anymore, so it’s already a first victory and he continues in training and in matches, starts to be effective, so it’s a first step . And for JK, he was reinstated, he trains well, repeats the sessions and goes on, it gives him playing time, so I’m waiting for the rest, he will give the answer. He has become a football player again but he still lacks a lot of things, that’s why I am very demanding with him, it’s a stage. read also Cyprien back against Brest Can there be movement to expect by the end of the transfer window?
At all. Afterwards, I say at all until proven otherwise, but as I speak to you, it is not moving. »