La Beaujoire has long resembled a roller coaster ride for Randal Kolo Muani.
Between his arrival at the Canaries training center at the age of 17 and his departure seven years later, the international experienced blunders, great promises, redemption and tension after the announcement of his free departure for Frankfurt.
But after twenty months away from Beaujoire, Randal Kolo Muani made his return to this lawn.
And the Nantes public seemed rather happy to see again the man who had nevertheless largely contributed to offering them the Coupe de France before leaving.
When he got off the bus, while the entire Parisian squad paraded in front of them, without it arousing much reaction, a few Nantes supporters gave him a round of applause.
It may be a detail for others but for him it meant a lot.
Especially since he had learned before getting on his bus that he would be tenured.
Unlike last Wednesday's match against Real Sociedad (2-0) where he only came on nine minutes from time.
Readily described as emotional by Antoine Kombouaré, his former coach, Kolo Muani of course did not have a great first period while he occupied a central position since Kylian Mbappé was a substitute.
But it was difficult to blame him a lot because, even if PSG held the ball, no one gave it to them correctly in the area.
Dry cleaning but few dangerous situations
Without ammunition, even the best shooters rarely hit the target.
Reduced to the bare minimum, Kolo Muani sometimes tried to pressure Rémi Descamps but without success.
We almost want to say that he was almost as harmless, for the Nantes rearguard, as Mbappé from his sidelines... However, unlike the captain of the Blues when he plays, Kolo Muani demonstrated a total desire to exert initial pressure on the defenders as soon as the ball is lost.
Which is often the mark of generous players.
And, here too, it may be a detail for a lot of Parisian supporters, but for Luis Enrique, it means a lot.
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Without making a ton about the psychology of gestures on a football field, Kolo Muani has not been showing excessive joy for some time.
On January 28, he showed no joy when he had just scored the second Parisian at the Parc against Brest (2-2).
Like a 21st century Buster Keaton, the ex-Nantais player didn't crack the slightest smile while his teammates congratulated him.
His first part of the season, which without being a gross failure, is far from being a success, certainly explained this impassivity.
The paradox is that this Saturday, he did not hesitate to laugh with his former partners.
Notably Nicolas Pallois who caught him marking but who seemed to laugh as soon as the latter slipped a little joke in his ear.
Repositioned on one side after the break and the entry of Ramos, Kolo Muani only remained on the pitch for seventeen minutes in the second half, replaced by Mbappé (62nd).
As often this season, he came out frustrated.
But at least he will have smiled.
Even if it was for a reunion.