At the start of the last third of the season, and while the delays incurred due to the cases of Covid in the various teams are beginning to be made up for, PSG with its stars is still the author of a faultless course in the Starligue, ten- nine victories in as many games played.

Alberto Entrerrios' H de Nantes and Thierry Anti's PAUC d'Aix are the last two clubs that can hope to tickle the Parisians a little more, with a seven-point hole to fill (Montpellier, fourth in the standings is much further ).

Six months later, Nantes are still having a very bad start to the season - two defeats and a draw in five matches.

But since their setback in Limoges in early October, Kiril Lazarov's teammates have only lost once, against PSG by a small goal (30-29) after having held off the Parisians.

Already qualified for the rest of European competitions, Nantes and Parisians lost this week, respectively on Tuesday in Lisbon against Benfica (31-30) in the European League (C2) and against Veszprem (40-39) in the Champions League on Thursday.

A setback without consequence for PSG, but which forces H to a difficult C2 round of 16 against Füchse Berlin, with a return to Germany.

Good memories of Nantes in 2021

"Two more days to recover, that can count. In any case, I hope that we will be in the match and that we can push them to their limits", underlined the assistant coach of Nantes, Grégory Cojean.

"This Nantes match can be decisive to widen an even bigger gap with this team. If successful, we will have a nine-point lead and that is not negligible," commented PSG coach Raul Gonzalez. , at the end of the C1 match.

PSG coach Raul Gonzalez during the Champions League Final Four in Cologne, June 12, 2021 Ina Fassbender AFP / Archives

The lead would even be virtually ten points, since PSG would then have the advantage in direct matches.

The title would certainly not be mathematically assured since there will remain 20 points in play (10 matches to be played), but the coronation would be within shooting range.

"If accounting, it could help us to win this face-to-face, I especially do not want to lose twice in a row at home", warned Nikola Karabatic.

Last year, the Nantes had inflicted on PSG its only defeat of the season (25-24), at Coubertin.

"We played a quality match, with serenity and relaxation. This is how we must approach the game to play our best handball, with discipline and humility," said Cojean.

© 2022 AFP