Antoine Kombouaré and his team are now headed to the Coupe de France final for a second year in a row after defeating Lyon 1-0. The French coach took the time to speak about the match and the Coupe de France, but his reaction on the field may have said it all,
“We were huge, monstrous. I have seen champions, enraged on the field, harassing the opponent, and then throwing themselves. We got scared because we couldn’t score that second goal and, in this case, we’re never safe from a comeback from the opponent. It’s a big reward for their performance. They were huge. And with this public that pushes you, gives you strength and energy, you can’t miss this game. These are rare, exceptional moments. I am privileged. Returning to the Stade de France for two consecutive years with my training club, there are no words to explain what we are going through.”
As a coach, it seems almost symbolic that his team has demonstrated moments of brilliance and resilience in crucial situations, despite struggling in the league. The 59-year-old coach spoke about his team’s ability to stay motivated and maintain a strong desire to win, even despite their shortcomings. “It is difficult to explain. Very clearly, losing 3-0 against Reims at home was not the best way to prepare for this semi-final. We had a headache the first two days, I found the group a little affected and we did what was necessary to remobilize everyone. Beyond the commitment, the energy, and the impact, it was our ability to move forward, to want to play that was interesting. Lyon had just beaten PSG, we are superior on paper. We knew that if we didn’t do the right thing, we would fall through the cracks. It is also the fact of being at La Beaujoire, of feeling this adrenaline rush before the match. We feel that something is happening. It is a perfume of Europe.”
The game-winner came from a moment of brilliance and one of the biggest goals of Ludovic Blas’ life. A moment and goal that will be remembered by Nantes supporters for many years to come, but the goal brought back another memory to the head coach, “When he scored, I had a flash, I thought of José Touré in the French Cup final, during the famous PSG – Nantes (3-2, 1983). This is the first image that came to my mind. At the start, I don’t see the ball go to the bottom, I’m the opposite. I see him raise his arms and I say to myself that it is not possible. He makes an exceptional gesture.”
Now headed back to the final of the Coupe de France Antoine Kombouaré has successfully turned things around for Nantes and himself regardless of how Nantes finishes in the league. As a coach, he has always been known for his talent and mind, but things have not always gone his way. He spoke about the experience with Nantes explaining, “It’s a lot of pride, joy. It’s the best way for me to thank the people who welcomed me or trained me in Nantes, and who allowed me to make this career. I know why I do this fucking job. We suffer a lot, we are often fired and, if we come back, it is to experience this. These are rare and unique moments. I am spoiled by life. Now we have to go to the end.”
GFFN | Tony DesRois
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