In this battle at distance, Auxerre seems to have a slight psychological advantage over Nantes without spring, despite a very complicated schedule and an unfavorable goal difference (-18 for Nantes, -26 for Auxerre).

The fate of the Nantes could also be sealed on Saturday night if they do not snatch at least a draw in Lille and if Auxerre wins in Toulouse.

A plausible hypothesis insofar as the Dogues are in full European sprint while TFC, winner 5-0 in Auxerre in January, is freewheeling since its title in the Coupe de France.

Next week on the 38th and final day, the ratio will be reversed: Auxerre will receive Lens, impressive runner-up of PSG, and Nantes the red lantern Angers.

But we must be wary of appearances insofar as Lens could lift the foot if the second place is assured and Angers, more biting since the relegation is recorded, could seek to drag its local rival in its fall.

The dynamics of the worst

Since the victories against Troyes, Ajaccio and Nantes, which had taken them out of the red zone, Auxerre have slowed down with three defeats and two draws.

FC Nantes players disappointed after their heavy defeat to Montpellier at La Beaujoire, May 20, 2023 © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP/Archives

The team remains on a worrying setback in Brest (1-0) and another much more reassuring against Paris SG (2-1), where Christophe Pélissier's men were able to hang on even by being led 2-0 in the 8th minute.

"Everyone is ready for a big game in Toulouse. The first leg was difficult but the stakes are not the same. If to maintain ourselves we have to go until the 95th minute against Lens, we will go. Nobody is going to give up," said captain Birama Toure.

Opposite, Nantes is at the bottom of the hole, with a run of 13 matches without a win in the league since mid-February. Worse: Nantes has not yet scored a goal in May.

The Canaries have attempted about fifty shots in four games. Each time, they made a good start but without managing to materialize and then completely lost the thread as soon as the opponent opened the score.

New Nantes coach Pierre Aristouy at the reception of Montpellier, May 20, 2023 © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP/Archives

"It's been six months since we won a game. We could play a week, we will not score a goal, "breathed Nicolas Pallois, demoralized, last week.

The only exception: the match in Toulouse (May 14), where the Canaries at least managed not to concede a goal (0-0) and on which they should rely against Lille.

Pélissier/Aristouy, a question of experience

In Auxerre, Christophe Pélissier, the "wizard" specialist in climbs, has already experienced several tense ends of seasons in L1 with Amiens and then with Lorient, and his team has never suffered relegation.

"In February, everyone condemned us but the players showed a superb state of mind. We are ready to fight together," he said.

Auxerre coach Christophe Pelissier in Brest, May 14, 2023 © DAMIEN MEYER / AFP/Archives

On the Nantes side, Pierre Aristouy arrives in L1 and finds himself facing players that he sees for some "paralyzed".

Indeed, if the Auxerrois are programmed since the beginning of the season to fight for the maintenance, the Canaries fall from above, as their slow tumble in the league has been masked by some euphoric moments in the Europa League and the France Cup.

A small glimmer despite everything: in a spirit of sacred union, Pedro Chirivella, who had ended his season in mid-April to treat pubalgia, chose to return. If he has sufficiently regained form, he could finally bring some serenity on the field.

© 2023 AFP