Nantes’ Preparation

FC Nantes will return to La Beaujoire on Saturday 22 August 2026 at 14:00, after a closed-door match against Red Star. Nearly 12,000 fans are expected to support Michel Der Zakarian and his teammates. The club aims to “lift its head” after two poor performances and launch the season in front of its supporters.

Michel Der Zakarian announced his squad after a week of intense work at the Centre Sportif de la Jonelière. He selected 20 players: - Goalkeepers: DUPÉ, MIRBACH - Defenders: AMIAN, GUILBERT, LAMY, PERRIN, SOW, TATI - Midfielders: DEUFF, LEROUX, LEPENANT, SISSOKO, YOUNOUSSA - Forwards: CAFARO, K. CAMARA, DABO, CORREDOR, GUIRASSY, KONÉ, TABIBOU.

Nine of them are academy products: TYLEL TATI (18), BAHMED DEUFF (20), LOUIS LEROUX (20), KLAUS CAMARA (18), MOUSTAPHA DABO (19), BAHEREBA GUIRASSY (19), JUNIOR KONÉ (19), and DEHMAINE TABIBOU (21). Wilitty Younoussa, injured after a collision with Francis Coquelin at Laval, is now available. Fabien Centonze, Sékou Doucouré, and Ignatius Ganago remain unavailable due to adductor issues.

"We had a very good first period at Laval. We caught in the last 30 meters but lacked precision. We must stay in this progression against Rodez, who play a direct game," the coach says.

Rodez Squad

Rodez Aveyron Football, in its eighth consecutive season in Ligue 2, selected 20 players for the match. Didier Santini’s lineup: - Goalkeepers: MARGUERON, CROMBEZ - Defenders: LIPINSKI, MAGNIN, JOLIBOIS, ISSANCHOU, JEAN-LAMBERT, VANGI, PONTI, LAURENT, LUYAMBULA - Midfielders: MENDES, PAVLOVIC, JOLY, BENCHAMMA, CARTILLIER - Forwards: NAGERA, NSINGI, TOUHO, BALDÉ.

The club has progressed since its return in 2019-2020, reaching promotion playoffs last season and finishing fifth in 2025-2026.

Refereeing

The match will be officiated by Ahmed TALEB, assisted by Gaëtan KORBAS and Loris LEPORATI, with Romain ZAMO as the fourth official. No VAR is available on Ligue 2 BKT pitches.

Historical Encounters

This is the second meeting between the two teams this season, after a 16th-round Coupe de France tie in March 1993 where Nantes won 9-1. Nantes’ 1993 goals were scored by Loko (6th, 45th), Karembeu (16th), Ziani (50th), Pedros (51st, 73rd, 79th) and Ouédec (75th, 83rd).

Final Note

FC Nantes seeks to break a losing streak, while Rodez AF aims to regain control after two away matches. The game, broadcast live on beIN SPORTS 1, promises to be decisive for both sides.