After the elimination of OM on Tuesday and the qualification with a 2nd place with a bitter taste for PSG in the Champions League, the European evening of French clubs started well this Thursday in the Europa League.
If it was expected for Monaco, Nantes, which did not have its destiny between its feet, also snatched its ticket for the 16th finals.
The Greek miracle for Nantes
The miracle of Piraeus did indeed take place for FC Nantes.
On the verge of elimination after their 3 consecutive defeats (including a 0-4 at home against Friborg and a 3-0 at Qarabag), Antoine Kombouaré's players will see the 16th finals of the Europa League.
Guaranteed to finish at least 3rd in their group, and therefore to be transferred at least to the Europa League Conference, they did not have their destiny between their feet.
But they fulfilled their contract by winning at Olympiakos (0-2) while taking advantage of Qarabag's draw against Friborg (1-1).
Nantes finished 2nd in their group behind Fribourg, beating the Azeris on the wire.
After a complicated first period where Alban Lafont was decisive, Nantes still made the difference at the end of the match.
Not during added time as in his two previous victories in the first leg against Olympiakos (2-1) then last Thursday against Qarabag (2-1).
But ten minutes from the end on a cross from Ludovic Blas for the head of the Egyptian Mohamed (0-1, 80th).
After a superb counter with Sissoko and Mohamed, Blas ensured the qualification of FC Nantes (0-2, 89th).
As for the future opponent of the Canaries in the round of 16, there is only heavy: Ajax, Leverkusen Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Seville, Juventus Turin…
On time for qualifying ⌚️
👊 @ludo9722 pic.twitter.com/4xlB6PVFWu
– FC Nantes (@FCNantes) November 3, 2022
Worn by Volland, Monaco does the job
Second in Group H before this match behind Ferencvaros, Monaco rose to the occasion against the Serbs of Red Star who could also finish 2nd if successful.
The Monegasques have secured their place as runners-up and are therefore qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Well back in the match, Philippe Clement's players quickly broke away thanks to a double from Kevin Volland (5th, 27th).
If Monaco then stands out on an action by Golovine which pushes Rodic against his camp (3-0, 50th), he then gradually loses control.
Kanga reduced the score on penalty (3-1, 54th) then Pesic saw his goal disallowed for offside (68th).
Monaco is not serene but Volland, found, reassures everyone by offering a hat-trick (4-1, 87th).
Back on top our @KeVolland 👊
4⃣-1⃣ #ASMFKCZ pic.twitter.com/yQ7PzQ3I3G
- AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) November 3, 2022
