Nantes host Lyon tonight at Stade de la Beaujoire for the first Coupe de France semi-final. Les Canaris are the current holders of the Cup.
Last year’s title had allowed the Antoine Kombouaré-led side to qualify for the Europa League group stage. Nantes went through to the playoff round where they faced Juventus. The Bianconeri prevailed thanks to a stunning Angel Di Maria (35) hat-trick in the return leg.
Fourteenth-placed Ligue 1 side Nantes have the Cup firmly in their sights and are looking to save their struggling season, just like Lyon in that regard. Kombouaré is expected to field Rémy Descamps (26) between the sticks. Alban Lafont’s understudy has been trusted in the Coupe de France games, in which he has proved a reliable goalkeeper as well as a spot-kick specialist. Former Premier League midfielders Pedro Chirivella (25) and Moussa Sissoko (33) are in line to start.
Algeria international forward Andy Delort (31), who scored Nantes’ two goals from the spot during their 2-1 quarter-final win over RC Lens, is expected to start upfront alongside mercurial playmaker Ludovic Blas (25).
Nantes likely lineup against Lyon
Rémy Descamps – Nicolas Pallois, Andrei Girotto, Jean-Charles Castelletto – Fabien Centonze, Pedro Chirivella, Samuel Moutoussamy, Moussa Sissoko, Marcus Coco – Ludovic Blas, Andy Delort
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
