Nantes (AFP)

Raymond Domenech's FC Nantes does not lose any more but he risks becoming the king of the draw since after having shared the points against Rennes and Montpellier, he was satisfied with a new 1-1 Sunday against Lens.

This 11th game in a row without a win for the Canaries leaves them in 17th place in Ligue 1 with 18 points, within gun range of the Nîmes barrage (15 points).

After two defeats last week, the Lensois, surprisingly promoted, however regain a little confidence, before a complicated late match Wednesday in Marseille.

And they are again expected at Beaujoire in a little over three weeks for the revenge in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France.

Since the arrival of the former coach of the Blues, Nantes seems better organized and displays consistency in the game, with a tighter defensive block, even if there is still a lot of work.

The technical shortcomings prevent Nicolas Pallois' partners from keeping the ball or being dangerous for lack of precision in the last pass.

After reassuring the defense against Rennes (0-0) and starting to offer play in the second period in Montpellier (1-1), Domenech wanted his players to gain in efficiency against Lens, but the match has long remained a story penalties, as has been the case several times this season.

-Festival of approximations-

In the space of five minutes, Franck Schneider has indeed twice designated the white point eleven meters from the line.

Each time, for a late tackle.

That of Nantes Fabio on the restless Clauss (31st) was not of consequence since the Lensois Kakuta shot very widely above the crossbar of Lafont.

On the other hand, the sustained and failed tackle by his teammate Gradit on Kuolo Mani's ankle allowed Nantes to open the scoring and Louza to score his fourth goal of the season - the third from the penalty spot (1-0, 36th) .

For the rest, not much happened at La Beaujoire, apart from a festival of approximations and a void of opportunities.

Nantes were still very disappointing and Lens would have deserved better, even if Alban Lafont did not dirty his gloves.

A crossed header from Fofana (42nd) then a recovery from the left not sufficiently straightened by Kakuta (45th + 1) sent a little shudder into the Nantes rearguard.

The anguish escalated with a ball from Lafont, who released a seemingly innocuous free kick but returning from Clauss (68th).

And by dint of pushing, the Lensois were rewarded, thanks to a corner from Moricio and a new largesse from the Nantes defense: forgotten in the area, Kakuta was able to quietly make three touches of the ball before pushing the ball into the back of the net and to register his 8th goal of the season (1-1, 81st).

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