TINO’S NANTES SLIP BACK INTO TROUBLE
TINO Kadewere’s Nantes were thrust back into the French Ligue One relegation waters following a 0-2 loss at home to champions, PSG, on Saturday night.
With the rest of the league matches set for yesterday, Nantes remained stuck on 22 points from as many matches.
However, worryingly for them was that they were just three points above the final relegation slot having played a game more.
Kylian Mbappe and Lucas Hernandez scored second-half goals to earn leaders PSG the win at Nantes and extend their unbeaten Ligue 1 run to 17 matches.
Luis Enrique’s side moved on to 53 points, 14 clear of second-placed Nice who lost 1-0 at Kadewere’s parent club, Olympique Lyonnais on Friday.
“It was a tough first half but the attitude of the players was excellent,” Enrique told reporters. In the second half we were better with more attacking presence in the box, it was difficult but we were fortunate to score the first goal.”
Hernandez opened the scoring with PSG’s first shot on target in the 60th minute with a long-range strike that Nantes’ Moussa Sissoko deflected into the top corner past his goalkeeper.
Substitute Mbappe doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 78th minute, the France striker’s 21st league goal of the campaign confirming his position as Ligue 1’s top scorer this season.
“The league is not settled, it is true that we lack an opponent that challenge us but it is the result of our performance,” Luis Enrique added.
“Until it is mathematically certain we can’t say anything, there are still a lot of games left.”
“It is important for us to be solid in the league, to be a team that uses the league to reinforce a way of playing to win more titles.”