Difficult however to have a smile when returning to the Coupe de France. Especially since he will challenge the defending champion! And FC Nantes has lost only 1 of its last 8 league days and is in 13th place in Ligue 1. In Angers, the wounded are still quite numerous. We find in the infirmary the long-time injured Eneme-Ella (no match) and Diony (2 goals), the goalkeeper Fofana (potential holder) and the substitutes El-Melali and Bamba. On the other hand, captain Capelle (midfielder), left-back Chetti (substitute) and experienced midfielder Amadou reunited with the group last weekend. As if that were not enough, the Anjou club is forced to deploy without its titular left side Doumbia, who is serving the second of his 3 suspension matches. During the winter transfer window, the Sco had to resolve to let go of its Moroccan assets Ounahi (OM) and Boufal (Al-Rayyan) who was the best artificer of this formation with 4 achievements.
They are not the only ones to have set sail since Jakolis (AEK Larnaca) and Bobichon (Laval) have also left the shores of Maine. Conversely, Ghoulam (left side, ex-Naples) and Niane (striker, Metz) have arrived. The unavailability of the titular defender Pallois and the unstoppable left side Merlin is no longer a surprise. The two captains are still held in the infirmary and cannot help their teammates in this round of 16.
Conversely, the side Fabio (Grêmio) and the neo-Stéphanois (ASSE) Appiah and Bamba said goodbye to Jonelière this winter. Less prominent than in previous years, the playmaker Ludovic Blas was still able to score his 4th goal of the season against Ajaccio on Sunday. Angers have failed to win in their last 14 matches. 68% of Angers's matches had over 2. 5 goals scored in total. Angers conceded at least one goal in 10 of their 11 home matches.
Angers have conceded the opening goal in 17 of their 22 matches. Angers were losing at half-time in 15 of their 22 matches. Both meetings between these two teams in the playoffs last season served up under 2. 5 goals, meaning that Angers have now been involved in seven consecutive matches of this low-scoring variety. As for Nantes, seven of their previous ten away games at this level have produced no more than a couple of goals, so don’t expect a feast of attacking football. Goals Scored Who will score more? Nantes is 42.