Nantes vs Bordeaux preview - Nantes aiming to stop rot
Posted Friday, December 12, 2014 by PA
Nantes coach Michel der Zakarian hopes his side can put in a powerful defensive display when they host Bordeaux at Stade de la Beaujoire.
The Canaries have dropped down to ninth in the Ligue 1 table following a three-match losing run which they will aim to halt when Willy Sagnol's men visit on Saturday.
Nantes got off to a great start to the season, with just two defeats in their opening 14 league matches, but have failed to record a home win in the league since their 2-1 victory over Nice in September.
They are aiming to bounce back from last Saturday's 2-1 reverse at champions Paris St Germain.
After Der Zakarian said three defeats in a row had "ever happened to us" and added on the club website: "We have to rediscover our defensive qualities."
Der Zakarian can boast an almost full-strength squad, with just Serge Gakpe on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury against PSG.
Bordeaux are looking to build on last Saturday's 3-2 victory over Lorient and extend their unbeaten run to four games.
The three points against Lorient moved Les Girondins up to fifth, just seven points behind leaders Marseille.
Mali striker Cheikh Diabate, who came off the bench to score a brace for Bordeaux last weekend, has reportedly been suffering with recurrent knee pain, but is likely to keep his place in Sagnol's squad.
Sagnol told a press conference: "It's a derby. There will be bragging rights and more at stake, but we will have a fighting spirit."
Goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso is sidelined after dislocating his shoulder last weekend, while left-back Diego Contento returns.
Carrasso may not return until the new year, with Sagnol telling L'Equipe: "He could possibly miss a few weeks."
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