Auxerre 0-0 Nantes ratings: Faivre and Abline fail to spark | OneFootball

Auxerre, 16th, and Nantes, 17th, cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw on Saturday, with defences on top. Attacking leaders Faivre and Abline could not tilt a tight contest, so the five-point gap between them remains.

L'Équipe notes that Auxerre captain Elisha Owusu shone with a tireless, tidy display, earning seven. Nicolas Cozza matched that mark at the heart of an experimental Nantes back line, fronting up with authority.

Key moments were scarce. Johann Lepenant was booked early for a heavy foul on Oppegard, then Cozza made a crucial stop on Sinayoko before Lepenant recovered well as last man. Abline teed up Machado for a shot wide, Machado then delivered for Kaba which could have resulted in an assist, and Cozza later might have done better when facing Léon in the six-yard box.

Auxerre withdrew Namaso for Mara after the hour, Lepenant skied a half-volley, Faivre made way for Ahamada who added bite, and Abline was replaced by Mohamed late on.

Among Nantes’ brighter contributors, Deiver Machado scored six, covering his flank relentlessly and blunting Faivre’s influence. Sinaly Diomandé also took six, steady and sharp across Auxerre’s back line.

Lepenant’s four reflected struggles in possession after that early booking, while Abline’s three capped an insipid outing from open play and set pieces. For Auxerre, Namaso’s three brought little between the lines, while Faivre also rated three before Ahamada lifted the tempo.

Source: L'Équipe