On a positive series, the Canaries can hit a big blow in the historic rival, Saint-Etienne, tonight, on behalf of the 15th day of Ligue 1.

A straw with regard to a career, a chasm on the scale of a story. The classic of the championship of France summons the paradoxes. It was a year ago, almost day to day, December 2, 2017. The Bretons had landed the Moonboots feet in Forez refrigerated by teasing mercury and soon horrified by the purges delivered to Geoffroy-Guichard.

In the Saint-Etienne snowdrifts, FC Nantes de Ranieri had earned a deserved point against Julien Sablé's Greens, who had a shallow shoulder to play the service firefighters. It must be said that with Mbengue, Theophile-Catherine or other Lacroix, extinguishing the fire was a challenge.

At the time, Jean-Louis Gasset was Sablé's deputy. Since then, he has recovered the biscuit and especially unhooked the checkbook of his leaders. M'Vila, Debuchy, Subotic, Ntep have raised the level, without tapping into their reserves. The former Rennais is no longer there but last summer, the technician kept his frame by adding a pinch of salt to thaw the Cauldron. Ex of the red and black house too, Wahbi Khazri put the green people in the pocket. With six goals scored since the start of the championship, all facing kops Etienne, the Tunisian international is one of the main spokesmen of the Greens (6th).

FC Nantes. Without the Rongier, Krhin and Girotto, the Canaries plucked in the middle

"The moment to try something ..."

We remember the sulphurous duel that the striker had delivered to Diego Carlos last season at Roazhon Park and his double that allowed the Rennes to get their hands on the derby. The reunion is boiling, but the Loire has since sunk well under the bridges Nantes. Vahid Halilhodzic also warmed the atmosphere at Jonelière.

The scorer of the 80s is now the guardian of a serene group, determined, who surfs a series of six games without defeat (all competitions). A record that allows him to travel light-hearted and embark a few grams of nostalgia in his luggage. "It's still two clubs apart in French football. In Yugoslavia, I followed the epic of the Greens. There is tradition, a culture for both clubs. They have always been loved, supported. In my time, FC Nantes was far superior these games remain matches apart. "

FC Nantes (10th, 6 points from the Greens) has assets to fuel its series. If he remains on two draws in Rennes and face Angers (1-1), he has each time joined his neighbors to the score, sign that the resignation and mental cracker have left the locker room Nantes. "Perhaps our greatest victory is our state of mind. I did not expect such unity, such an atmosphere " abounds Vahid Halilhodzic.

Ligue 1. Nantes renounces the 300 supporters allowed in Saint-Etienne

Geoffroy-Guichard is not a benevolent host (5 wins and 2 draws for the Greens) but the Canaries can hit a shot at the historic rival (18 championship titles in France between them). "If FC Nantes wants to have a good season and have more ambition, it's time to show it against Saint-Etienne and then at home against Marseille. These teams are stronger and ahead of us in the standings. It's time to try something, to make a feat! "

Even deprived of Valentin Rongier (knee) and Andrei Girotto, Yellow can avoid the bowl in the Cauldron.