The week promises to be decisive for the rest of the season for FC Nantes. And that of Antoine Kombouaré, more than ever under pressure after six meetings in a row without success. Current third in its Europa League group, FC Nantes nevertheless wants to believe in a rebound in his lair which will welcome more than 30,000 spectatorsthis Thursday evening against Freiburg
. If successful, the Canaries would remain in the race for second place, synonymous with accession to the dam of the round of 16 of the competition. The defender, Nicolas Pallois, is firmly convinced of this and he assures that his teammates are proud and vindictive on the eve of this fourth European match.
“Finding this solidity in front of our supporters”
Do you feel under pressure before this match against Fribourg?
We don’t feel pressured but we know that you have to win home matches to get this second place.
Do you feel a difference between your performance at home and away from La Beaujoire?
I don’t know if there is a big difference but we are no longer comfortable at home. We must find this solidity in front of our supporters. We need everyone to win, especially since second place is strongly possible.
After the Coupe de France, there was a relaxation, I think, because it was very emotional. But you have to quickly take it back.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of four or five defender systems?
We can play in any system, as long as we respect the choice of the coach and the instructions of the game. We must appropriate the systems. At five, we are more solid defensively but at the same time we take more waves. Each scheme has its strengths and weaknesses. The most important thing is to do the maximum on the ground, you have to take points.
Do you consider this week as a turning point in your season?
We chained big matches against big teams. There will be more waiting now that we are at home and we will have to win. In the league, we are not very good. You have to take points right away and it is by working that you will reverse this negative dynamic.
“Today, we may not be running for each other”
How do you explain it?
Before, we ran together, we made efforts together, today we continue to do it but we may not run for each other and that’s what’s a shame. We have chances but we don’t necessarily have the right gesture or the luck we had in recent months. We will have to continue to work because it goes through this and give the maximum on the ground.
Are you worried about this penultimate place in Ligue 1?
I would have preferred that we take points before and that we do not find ourselves nineteenth. Today, we are there, we can no longer look back. After stepping back, I think everyone is aware of the situation and that it is absolutely necessary to go up in the classification. We don’t want to be scared like two seasons ago. If there is a club where we know this situation, it is here.
Last season, we had this chance that we have to find again. We need to do more but I think it will.
What is the mood in the locker room right now?
I think the band is concerned, the band is working. In Freiburg, I think there was room to bring back a draw with the two actions at the end of the game. We did everything to play this competition, we won’t cry now because we play every three dayswe have a whole group to bring, the holders as well as the substitutes.
How do you analyze the fact that it is more complicated this season?
Last year, we succeeded in everything we tried, Ludo could hit from 30 meters, it fit. It is also the only full season we’ve had since I’ve been at the club. But after the Coupe de France
, there was a relaxation, I think, because it was very emotional. But you have to quickly recover and take points because it can be complicated later. Last season, we had this chance that we have to find again. We need to do more but I think it will.