The shot on goal by Ben Yedder, first shooter, diverted by Descamps. A 2nd unscrewed by Tchouaméni… That’s what decided the fate of this Nantes-Monaco unbreathable. Between the Nantes champions of projection and the Monegasques masters of the game, fate designated the first at the end of a rhythmic match, rich in chances, goals and suspense this Wednesday evening.
But in the end, it is Nantes who will respond to Nice – winner of Versailles 2-0 on Tuesday evening – at the Stade de France in the final on May 8, with a fourth victory in the event at stake. And as a bonus a place in the Europa League, not easy to win by way of Ligue 1.
“What madness, exclaimed Kolo Muani at the microphone of Eurosport, after the lawn of Beaujoire found itself completely black with supporters. I did not expect it and we did. I am happy to offer this to our supporters and why not a victory in the Coupe de France. We knew we couldn’t give up and we did. Rémy (Descamps) gave us a great session. I believed in my teammates and in myself (after the Monegasque equalizer).
An unthinkable performance when a little over a year ago, Antoine Kombouaré took over the dying Canaries, who only saved their place in Ligue 1 after a dam against Toulouse.
“This is what runs through our veins, said the Nantes coach What we live there, this sharing of emotions, this complicity with the public, this is why we do this job. Careers move very quickly. Afterwards, we only remember the great moments, the sharing with the public. Personal fortunes, we don’t give a damn.
Nantes will have conceded their first goal in the Cup this season, on a header from Maripan. A small event.
But more was needed to extinguish the fury of the PSG scorers in L1, 3-1 15 days ago. Untenable, Kolo Muani steals a ball from Maripan in the middle of the field and rushes towards Nubel’s goal. He becomes a passer to serve Simon but Sidibe intercepts and… scores against his camp (1-1, 21st).
In the last quarter of an hour, the successive goals from Moutoussamy (2-1, 74th), then from Boadu (2-2, 76th) did not give a better glimpse of the final outcome but did increase the suspense of a real good half of the Coupe de France until the penalty shootout. “Penalties remain a lottery,” said Philippe Clement, the Monaco coach. In their last nine home games, they have won seven and drawn two against us. The Nantes people were carried by their supporters, during the match and during the penalty shootout.
