In front of 19,000 spectators, the young people of FC Nantes qualified for the semi-finals of the Youth League by winning a crazy match against Copenhagen (3-3, 5-4 tab).
Clearly, to experience positive emotions at La Beaujoire, FC Nantes must count on its young people. While Jocelyn Gourvennec’s men remain on six consecutive defeats in their stadium, the young Canaries won their ticket for the semi-finals of the Youth League after a spectacular meeting against Copenhagen (3-3 , 5-4 tab).
In front of more than 19,000 spectators, a record for a French club, and one of the 5 largest crowds in the history of the competition, the Nantais started well, with a brilliant strike from Dehmaine Tabibou (12th), but the sequel was more complicated. The Danes thus scored three times, including a goal and two assists from Emil Hojlund (18th, 31st, 33rd), the little brother of the Manchester United striker.
Penalties still smile in Nantes
But Nantes regained hope after the red card received by Olsson (35th). And even if Tabibou missed a penalty just before the break (45th + 2), Stéphane Moreau’s protégés managed to come back in the second half, thanks to home scorer Exaucé Mafoumbi (54th), and a mad left strike from Louis Leroux (64th).
As against Helsinki, Poznan and Seville, the Canaries had to go through penalties. And goalkeeper Tom Mabon was once again decisive, stopping three of the last four Danish attempts, while his team had their backs to the wall (5-4 tab). La Beaujoire was able to explode, and Nantes will go to Nyon for the Final Four of this U19 Champions League, with a duel to come against Olympiakos.
