PSG Draw: Nantes Reaction – Fans Divided

It was very close, in this case a goal from Nantais Noam Leopold two seconds from the end of a magnificent shot from his left wing, for Paris SG to knock out, once again, the French championship. Without this equalization of «H» in the charged atmosphere of the Neodif XXL (31-31), the Parisians would have won, which would have allowed them to take a four-point lead over their main rivals from Nantes at the end of the first leg. The kind of lead that the players of the capital do not let slip, they who would then have taken a big step towards a 12^e coronation in a row. Instead, Nantes is still alive, two lengths behind, and PSG could brood over its five-length lead that flew away during a final quarter of an hour which escaped them…

“Given the scenario of the match, it leaves a little frustration”confided Parisian captain Luka Karabatic in the corridors of the Nantes hall after the shock of the 15^e daytime. “We were in front throughout the second half, we played very well, we had the balls to kill the match but in the end, we were caught at the last second, which left a bitter taste. Despite that, I think that before the match, we would have been satisfied with a draw because we know how difficult it is to play here. So there, it’s a mix between disappointment and satisfaction even if, in the end, the first wins”. “We came to win”adds Luc Steins, his head surrounded by a large blood-stained headband after a blow to the top of his head during the meeting. “It’s a shame to end like that because we were in control and we were better than them throughout the match. But we had a weak time in attack in the second half which hurt us very much.

It was a great handball moment for the French Championship, for the fans who were in the room and those watching.

Elohim for lunch

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PSG’s offensive spearhead with his ten goals, Elohim Prandi, had vented his anger, manifested by kicking an advertising board adjoining the field, when he came to respond to the press with a renewed smile. “I think everything was great in all areas, whether for Nantes, for us, the public, even the referees. It was a great handball moment for the French Championship, for the fans who were in the room and those watching. Nobody is a loser, nobody is a winner. But everyone is happy.” If Paris has not managed to maintain its lead in the Nantes cauldron, it is firstly due to a decline on the offensive level. “We had a bit of waste at the finish, especially on important balls, and perhaps we slowed down the pace a little too much at the end of the match. As a result, we had more difficulty finding solutions and they, behind them, took advantage of it.

Anyway, even if we had won, we wouldn’t have thought it was over.

Luka Karabatic

Indeed, if the capital club showed flaws, as is often the case this season in the Champions League – while this was not the case in Liqui Moly Starligue with 14 victories in 14 days until Thursday -, Nantes was also able to demonstrate talent and resilience. “The people of Nantes played every shot to the fullest”analyse Steins. “They scored goals… In defense, we remained solid I think, but they scored goals from exceptional angles. Like the last goal. It’s handball, they played very well.” An admiration shared by Prandi. “That was a sick shot he sent, Noam. We know what he is capable of as a winger.” Now, there is no fire at the lake for the Parisians. “The championship is still long, we are two points ahead and Nantes must still come to us”recalls Steins. Before Luka Karabatic concludes. “Anyway, even if we had won, we wouldn’t have thought it was over. There is still a lot that can happen. We had an opportunity this evening to make the hole, but maybe it’s not worse not to have done it. We know that we are going to have to start again with a vengeance in February because Nantes will not give up, and Montpellier will not give up.”