Ligue 2 is more than ever on Nantes' minds.
Against Strasbourg, FC Nantes suffered a third defeat in a row in the league after Metz and Marseille.
Worse still, it's even a sixth consecutive defeat at home, the worst series in its history.
His fifteenth match lost in 26 matches played this season in Ligue 1, the worst record since the creation of the club.
Frightening figures which do not bode well for the virtual barrage of Ligue 1 (16th).
“We need a reaction very quickly because it is urgent.
We can’t let the weeks go by and wait for the last match like last year,” Moussa Sissoko said at the broadcaster’s microphone.
In the stands of Beaujoire this Saturday, tension was at its height as the Brigade Loire, the Canary supporters group, celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The match was stopped a few minutes at the end of the second half after a colossal number of smoke bombs were blown up.
“I can understand the public who are disappointed.
I understand their frustration,” added the French international midfielder.
At the end of the match, the ultras demanded the resignation of Waldemar Kita, the president - much criticized - of FC Nantes who arrived in 2007. "If you want us to invade the field, if nothing changes, it's exactly what is going to happen,” shouted the capo.
According to Prime Video, CRS were even called in for reinforcements to prevent the situation from degenerating too much.
Great cracking at Beaujoire, and too bad for the upcoming grandstand closure.
It pains me to say it but @FCNantes does not deserve its supporters.
#FCNRCSApic.twitter.com/EkKeuPqotm
— Stef78 🔴⚫ (@Stef7815) March 16, 2024
“We’re not good.
I won't hide from you that it's mentally tough at the moment but we'll get through it.
It’s not possible for the club to be there,” regretted Pedro Chirivella in the mixed zone, after staying for tens of minutes in the locker room, alongside the president, the coach and the entire Nantes team.
However, already last year, Nantes was playing for survival and escaped at the last minute by finishing just ahead of the four relegated clubs.
In 2024, Jocelyn Gourvennec's men have won only two matches (against Lorient and Toulouse) for a draw and five defeats.
They are currently sixteenth (place of the play-off) and therefore the first non-relegation club but they could end the 26th day being among the two relegated if Metz (17th with one point less) were to win in Reims.
The next few weeks will be crucial in Nantes if the club does not want to rediscover Ligue 2, eleven seasons after leaving it (2012-2013).
Nantes must travel to Nice and host Lyon, who are doing better, during the next two days.