FC Nantes drew with Stade Brestois in the final moments this Sunday in Ligue 1 (1-1). A result that further distances the prospect of survival for Vahid Halilhodzic’s team, very disappointed after this new disillusionment.
Joined in stoppage time by Brest (1-1), and deprived of a victory that would have revived their chances of survival this Sunday in Ligue 1, Nantes and their coach Vahid Halilhodzic lamented a “destiny that can be very cruel.” Reduced to ten men in the 65th minute following Dehmaine Tabibou’s red card, the Canaries, who had been leading since the 9th minute, conceded a goal in the 6th minute of stoppage time. This is the 7th goal conceded by FCN after the 90th minute, the worst record in Ligue 1 in that regard alongside Marseille.
“Well of course, it’s very tough, it’s a huge frustration, a huge incomprehension as well. The team really wanted to win tonight, they gave everything they could,” explained Halilhodzic after the match. “After this draw, it’s almost mission impossible. We need to maybe calm down a bit and prepare for what’s ahead, which won’t be easy. I can imagine the faces tomorrow at training, with huge disappointment in the locker room (…) When you work and you’re not rewarded for that work, it’s a bit difficult to accept. It’s destiny, it can be very, very cruel from time to time,” he added.
“We deserved the victory”
Until the equalizer, Brest, who had a very mediocre performance, was rarely dangerous. “We deserved the victory by far,” judged the Bosnian, “even with ten men, we created several chances (…) Brest didn’t create any chances.” “But we knew, 41% of the goals they scored were from set pieces. We worked on it, we explained things (during training), unfortunately, we paid for it again,” Halilhodzic explained.
He himself was sent off in the 69th minute because he couldn’t accept the red card against Tabibou, explaining that he wanted to ask the referee for explanations. As for whether Nantes, who will face Paris SG and Rennes before next Sunday, can still catch up and surpass Auxerre, 16th and virtual playoff team with a 5-point lead, it seems unlikely. “Even if we have hope of taking back that playoff spot, it’s almost impossible. We will continue working, continue playing, try to win (…) but we need to be realistic, honest, it will be very difficult,” he admitted.
