06 August 2021, 14:10 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The French Ligue 1 2021/22 season kicks off this Friday, the 6th of August at 20:00 (GMT+1) with AS Monaco FC vs. FC Nantes taking the center stage at the Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco. Being the league's 84th edition, twenty teams will participate in a total of 380 games before the season comes to its close on the 21st of May, 2022. After a three-year absence, ES Troyes AC returned to the top division while Clermont Foot 63 would be making their debut appearance in Ligue 1 this season. Nimes Olympique and Dijon FCO were demoted to Ligue 2 after finishing in 19th and 20th place respectively at the end of the 2020/21 season.
Preview Monaco Ligue 1, Aug 6, 2021
Preview Unaffected by the wave of sweeping managerial changes which saw thirteen replacements in the coaching seat across Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, Niko Kovac would be looking to get off to a flying start with a win on Friday. His side defeated Sparta Prague on Tuesday at the Stadion Letná, 2-0 in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni (37') and Kevin Volland (59') saw Monaco pick up their first victory in a competitive match ever since the French FA Cup final defeat to PSG in May. The match was suspended for three minutes after the goal scorer, Aurélien Tchouaméni was subjected to racist abuse from the home crowd. I hope it doesn't happen again, said Niko Kovac in his post-match interview. We won the game and we also won against racism, he added. Before that game, Monaco had lost to Real Sociedad, 2-1 in a pre-season friendly match. However, the Monégasques defeated RB Salzburg, Cercle Brugge, and Wolfsburg in their pre-season tour. They also picked up a goalless draw against Antwerp. Last season, Monaco finished in 3rd place with 78 points, - 5 points behind Ligue 1 Champions, Lille. A probable 4—4—2 formation with Ben Yedder and Kevin Volland leading the attack is expected against Football Club de Nantes.
Preview Nantes Ligue 1, Aug 6, 2021
Preview The visitors, Nantes finished in 18th place with 40 points last season and escaped demotion after a two-legged relegation playoff match against Ligue 2's Toulouse. This season, the Yellow House would be looking to avoid the relegation scrap. In May, Nantes signed goalkeeper, Alban Lafont permanently from Fiorentina for €7.5M after a two-season-long loan spell. Meanwhile, another addition in the same department, Rémy Descamps joined the ranks for an undisclosed fee from Jupiler Pro League side, RSC Charleroi. Nantes had five players promoted from their U-19 side while central midfielder, Lucas Evangelista and center-forward, Élie Youan returned to their respective clubs: RB Bragantino and FC St. Gallen, at the end of their loan spells. In preparation for the new season, they played friendlies against Caen, Niort, Lorient, and Ligue 1 debutants, Clermont. - All ended in defeats except for the games against Guingamp, 1-0 and Brest, 3-1. Coach, Antoine Kombouaré will be looking to upset Monaco and pick up at least a point when his side makes their first Ligue 1 appearance of the season. He is expected to adopt a conventional 4—4—2 formation with Muani and Kalifa Coulibaly leading the attack.