PSG/Nantes – Nantes preview: the fight for survival | OneFootball

This Wednesday, April 22, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) take on Nantes (17th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 7 p.m., live on Ligue1+) in the rescheduled match from Ligue 1 2025-2026 Matchday 26. And as before every match, here is a presentation of the Parisians’ opponent.

Nantes’ situation –

A major club in the history of French football, FC Nantes have been struggling for several years. They have even come close to dropping to Ligue 2 several times, and the coaching staff has been changed on numerous occasions. Not to mention some very difficult transfer windows (including sanctions).

This season has been no exception, except perhaps that it has been even tougher than the previous ones. Last March, Vahid Halilhodzic took over from Ahmed Kantari, who had himself replaced Luis Castro, as head coach. While there have been a few positive results, there is reason to fear for Nantes that it may not be enough. The coach is also suspended for this match after receiving a red card this weekend.

Summer 2025 transfer window –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

Winter 2025/2026 transfer window –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

Key statistics –

This season, Nantes have one of the 16th-best attacks in Ligue 1 with 25 goals scored (leaders PSG have 62, while the bottom sides, Nantes, Auxerre and Le Havre, all have 25), and the 15th-best defense with 46 goals conceded (PSG have the best defense with 25 goals conceded, while bottom side Metz have 66).

Nantes’ top scorer is Mathis Abline (25-year-old attacking midfielder/forward); with 5 goals, he ranks 38th in the league (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Esteban Lepaul with 17 goals). Chidozie Awaziem (29-year-old defender) is the club’s top assist provider with 2 assists, ranking 101st in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 9 assists).

Nantes’ last 5 matches –

Only Nantes’ possession is shown, and Nantes’ shots are listed first (when data is available).

03/07/2026 (Ligue 1) – Nantes/Angers: 0-1. In a 5-3-2. 47% possession. 13 shots, including 2 on target, to 11 shots (4 on target).

03/22/2026 (Ligue 1) – Nantes/Strasbourg: 2-3. In a 5-3-2. 38% possession. 14 shots, including 9 on target, to 14 shots (8 on target).

04/05/2026 (Ligue 1) – Metz/Nantes (down to 10 men in the 39th minute): 0-0.In a 5-3-2. 34% possession. 5 shots, including 2 on target, to 18 shots (6 on target).

04/11/2026 (Ligue 1) – Auxerre/Nantes: 0-0. In a 4-1-4-1. 46% possession. 12 shots, including 4 on target, to 4 shots (0 on target).

04/19/2026 (Ligue 1) – Nantes (down to 10 men in the 65th minute, leading 1-0) /Brest: 1-1. In a 4-1-4-1. 44% possession. 17 shots, including 4 on target, to 4 shots (2 on target).

The squad:

Unavailable – Mirbach, Amian, Centonze, Kaba, Cabella, Coquelin, Tati (injury).

Probable lineup in a 4-1-4-1.

Mohamed

Ganago – Leroux – Lepenant – Tabibou

Sissoko

Machado – Cozza – Yousuf – Guilbert

Lopes

Nantes’ style of play.

Nantes have changed several times this season, which has been shaped by their battle to stay in Ligue 1. Quite logically, there has been a desire to focus on a solid setup. But over the last 2 matches, we have also seen a slightly more attacking approach, which at least produced more interesting performances. Unfortunately, without the wins.

One may wonder whether Nantes will continue in that direction against PSG, with a fairly obvious risk involved. A very defensive approach, with the intention of hitting quickly on the counter, is more likely. All of this with possibly a bit of rotation in this midweek match ahead of the derby against Rennes.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.