Nantes (AFP)

After a season of setbacks and conflicts, Nantes took a step towards reconciliation with their public by beating Metz 2-0 on Sunday in their first home game of the season in Ligue 1.

The players even offered a lap of honor at the end of the match.

Fabio accompanied by his children, offered his jersey, quickly imitated by several of his teammates.

Admittedly, despite the club's seduction operation which had put all seats at 15 euros, the stadium was still ringing hollow with some 12,000 spectators, or a third of its capacity.

Especially since this juvenile public, good-natured, remained more spectator than supporters despite a flowering of yellow scarves.

Nantes supporters encourage their team against Metz, during the second day of L1, August 15, 2021 at the Stade de La Beaujoire LOIC VENANCE AFP

The Ultras of the Loire Brigade had for their part announced last week to give up coming to the stadium because of health constraints.

Returning to the habits of last season, several dozen of them have even chosen to demonstrate their opposition to President Waldemar Kita outside, behind a banner proclaiming: "Nothing will change, neither our determination, nor your incompetence".

On the ground, Antoine Kombouaré's men, who had come close to relegation at the end of last season, delivered an encouraging performance, punctuated by a great debauchery of energy.

After the draw in Monaco (1-1) last week, Nantes will be able to face a tough end of the month with serenity, between the derby in Rennes and the reception of Lyon.

As in Monaco, the Canaries were courageous, brawling, organized and studious.

Once again, the central Castelletto-Pallois hinge has perfectly solidified the building, even if this has sometimes been at the cost of pretty candles for the second.

Unlike last week, the full-backs brought their money, in particular Fabio, whose agreement with Moses Simon turned out to be promising, provided that the transfer window does not break these promises.

It is also on a one-two between the Brazilian side and the Nigerian winger that Nantes logically opened the scoring on a magnificent recovery from the outside of the right foot of Randal Kolo Muani (1-0, 11th).

And it is again Simon who served Ludovic Blas, who threw himself at the far post to place an angry header (2-0, 49th).

© 2021 AFP