Opposition briefing: FC Nantes heading to Selhurst Park

Match previews

10 Aug 2024

Crystal Palace are taking on Nantes in their final pre-season outing before the start of the new Premier League campaign - check out all you need to know about the opposition below!

Factfile

Manager: Antoine Kombouaré
Nickname: La Maison Jaune
Ground: Stade de la Beaujoire
Founded: 1943 (81 years ago)

What’s the story?

A SECOND SPELL

Manager Antoine Kombouaré is back in the dugout, after leading Nantes to a Coupe de France in his first spell back in 2022. He replaces Jocelyn Gourvennec at the end of a frenetic 2023/24 campaign for Nantes, the third manager to take charge during a season of change on the Loire.

ROOM TO IMPROVE

There is plenty of scope for development for La Maison Jaune, who finished last season in 14th, winning just four games from early December until the end of the season. They survived relegation by just four points, and relied on those around them to suffer poor results, picking up just two points from a possible 15 in the final five games of the season.

BLUNT FORCE

Nantes scored the fewest number of goals in Ligue 1 last season, netting just 30 times in 34 games and finishing the campaign with the second-worst goal difference as a result. They drew a blank on 14 occasions, but will hope that the permanent arrival of forward Matthis Abline, who spent last season at the club on loan, from Rennes for a club record fee of almost €12 million can be the start of a rebuild up front.

CUP SPECIALISTS

Last season’s Coupe de France was one to forget for Nantes, losing to second tier side Laval in the Round of 32. They won the trophy in Kombouaré’s first spell, however, beating Nice to earn their first major trophy since the league title in 2001. The following year, he took them to the final once again, but they were defeated by Toulouse. Now reunited, can Kombouaré and Nantes continue their cup heroics?

The boss

Antoine Kombouaré

After taking Valenciennes to the top-flight on the tightest of budgets, Kombouaré was by former club Paris Saint-Germain, where he won a Coupe de France, but a takeover by Qatari Sports Investments in 2011 saw him sacked – despite being top of the table – and replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. He is back for his second spell at Nantes, having previously left in 2023.

Match details

Sunday, 11th August
15:00 BST
Selhurst Park
LIVE on Palace TV+

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Opposition briefing: FC Nantes heading to Selhurst Park

Match previews

10 Aug 2024

Crystal Palace are taking on Nantes in their final pre-season outing before the start of the new Premier League campaign - check out all you need to know about the opposition below!