Camaraderie, graft and results: a day with FC Nantes, Arkema Première Ligue’s surprise package | OneFootball

FC Nantes’ women, second after 15 games, opened their doors at La Jonelière on Tuesday as Nicolas Chabot’s side prepared for Saturday’s 17:00 visit of Montpellier. The season’s surprise package mixes camaraderie with resourcefulness and an assertive style.

According to L'Équipe, players followed France’s squad reveal on their phones, welcoming Anaïs Ebayilin’s first call-up before assistant Kyllian Auger led a video briefing in a prefab. Despite modest facilities, a clear project has lured Imane Saoud, Mariam Toloba and 20-year-old Lucie Calba.

Nantes own the league’s third-best attack with 28 goals. A move to La Beaujoire brought a 3-1 win over Paris FC on 3 October before 13,454, then a 3-0 defeat of OM on 14 December before 17,491. PSG visit on 28 March, likely pivotal.

Life is no frill. Lunch in the academy canteen preceded an open session under vigilant security amid the men’s team malaise. Chabot cursed the rain, Julie Rabanne served Maureen Cosson coffee, and a white van later hauled a tired fridge to the tip.

Ageing infrastructure leaves the women on a synthetic pitch. Mijke Roelfsema chased clean kit as Chabot illustrated ideas with Real Sociedad women and a Federico Valverde goal. Fitness coach Thomas Pouliquen led activation while the playlist blared and Nelly Rodrigues complained.

To cap the day, Toloba collected January’s player of the month prize from Paul-Hervé Douillard, team-mates chanted and Caitlin Cosme playfully lifted the silverware. Training began under the amused gaze of Gilles Rampillon, 72, vice-president, as the section dreams of a first play-off.

Source: L'Équipe