Everything can change in a year.
In the midst of an institutional and sporting crisis a year ago, FC Nantes, then play-off (and which will save itself in the play-offs against Toulouse) is now 9th in Ligue 1, two points behind European places.
A year before, Raymond Domenech saw his short-lived return to a bench come to an end after 46 days, the day of the 32nd final of the Coupe de France lost against Lens (2-4).
Today, his successor Antoine Kombouaré, chief architect of the recovery of the Canaries, has the possibility of hoisting the club in the quarter-finals of the dean of French competitions against Brest (9 p.m.).
Everything has changed, except the players, who have raised their level of play.
Lafont again decisive
From the top of his 235 professional matches, the 23-year-old goalkeeper has become a safe bet for the position in France.
A great architect of the maintenance of the Canaries in Ligue 1, Alban Lafont has taken on a whole new dimension on the Beaujoire side.
Appointed captain at the start of the season, the Espoirs goalkeeper (14 caps) is regularly decisive in big matches, such as during the diptych against champion Lille (1-1 with a penalty saved, November 27) after having delayed the game for a long time. deadline against the Parisian leader, before being the first (and only!) to concede a goal from Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 (3-1, November 20).
Sign of a unique goalkeeper who dreams of one day in Blue.
Read alsoPSG: Messi's first (and nice) goal in Ligue 1 against FC Nantes on video
Pallois ages like good wine
If Lafont has a lot of merit in the status of 6th defense in the championship (27 goals conceded in 22 matches), Nicolas Pallois also has a lot to do with it.
After two complicated seasons marked by the death of his friend Emiliano Sala, the central defender shines in the 3-man defense of the Canaries.
Long considered a rough player and hardly enthusiastic about the beautiful game, the former Bordeaux player (34) has shown in recent weeks that he is much more than an old-fashioned player.
His 76% of successful passes are not limited to passes without risk taking.
"
Everyone says I'm a nag but I think there are times when you have to clear and times when you have to play,
summed up the defender with 216 matches in the top flight in an interview with
L'Équipe .
.
I'm probably not the most beautiful player to see, there are more elegant players.
Like his defensive partner Andrei Girotto, a successful midfielder converted central defender, author of two direct free kicks in the last two days of Ligue 1.
Blas comes of age
Finally fulfilled, Ludovic Blas shines under the orders of Kombouaré, who had already been able to manage this versatile 24-year-old attacking midfielder at Guingamp, his training club.
Captain in the first two rounds of the Coupe de France, the 24-year-old has taken on a whole new dimension on the banks of the Erdre.
Until arousing the lusts of Premier League clubs (Newcastle, Watford), to which he refuses for the time being to give in, with the intention of confirming the return to form of the Canaries.
His mobility between the lines combined with his efficiency (8 goals in 22 matches this season) make Nantes number 10 one of the main weapons of the team this season.
But until when ?
Ludovic Blas, captain and scorer in the Round of 16 against Vitré (2-0).
SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS / AFP
Kolo Muani ready to fly
The question of Randal Kolo Muani's future seems to have been settled.
At the end of the contract in June, the 23-year-old striker is free of any contract.
Rumors regularly send him to Frankfurt, a club sued by FC Nantes, who suspect him of having arranged with the player before the legal date of January 1.
A soap opera that does not seem to disturb the Bondynois unduly, since he found his way back to the nets last weekend against Lorient (4-2).
Complete center forward, the international hopes (7 caps, 1 goal) has also taken on a new dimension since last season, finished in a bang to save the Canaries from the abyss.
With 8 goals this season, he confirms a talent glimpsed in particular in Saint-Etienne, where he offered the victory of his team in a solitary raid (0-1, December 22).