With three points, Antoine Kombouaré's players are now six points behind the Germans, before receiving the Friborg leader in a week, well on their way to winning for first place in the group.

The victory of the Azerbaijanis from Qarabag against Olympiakos does not help the affairs of Nantes, third three points behind Qarabag (6).

Only the first of each group will qualify directly for the round of 16, while the second will have to go through a play-off against a team from the group stage of the Champions League.

After a rather dull first half hour of play, Friborg took the game on its own with increasing pressure on the Nantes defense and the goal of Alban Lafont.

Nantes team coach Antoine Kombouaré during the Group G match of the Europa League group stage between his team and that of Friborg played on October 6, 2022 in Friborg (Germany).

THOMAS KIENZLE AFP

The clearest opportunity came in the 33rd from the Ghanaian Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who was able to advance towards the Nantes goal without worries and whose shot deflected by Nicolas Pallois, was repelled by Lafont.

Back from the locker room, it was Kyereh who opened the scoring in the 48th minute.

Under pressure, the Spanish defender of the Canaries Pedro Chirivella slipped on the ball inside the six meters.

Japanese midfielder Ritsu Doan did not ask for so much to serve Kyereh who then cheated on Lafont.

A little more threatening after the opener, the Nantes people however continued to suffer against the co-leader of the Bundesliga (17 points in eight matches, tied with Union Berlin), deprived of their coach Christian Streif, tested positive for Covid and placed in solitary confinement.

Italian attacking midfielder Vincenzo Grifo doubled the lead in the 72nd minute, far too alone and entering the Nantes area far too easily.

Seven minutes later, Lafont saved his team from sinking in the Brisgau, fending off a shot from Germany's Nils Pedersen which headed in the direction of the goal.

In the last five minutes, Evann Guessan and especially Samuel Moutoussamy had the opportunity to reduce the score but neither of them managed to frame.

© 2022 AFP