Starke Defensive und starke Nerven: Piräus erstmals im Finale der Youth League

Olympiakos Piräus hat als erste Mannschaft das Finale der Youth League erreicht. Die Griechen gewannen dank starker Defensive und guter Nerven im Elfmeterschießen gegen Nantes mit 3:1.

Hoch, das Bein: Piräus' Antonios Papakanellos geht artistisch zum Ball.

Hoch, das Bein: Piräus’ Antonios Papakanellos geht artistisch zum Ball.

UEFA via Getty Images

Die Griechen traten mit einer Ausnahme (Koutsidis verteidigte anstelle von Tanoulis) in derselben Formation auf wie beim 3:1-Viertelfinalerfolg beim FC Bayern München. Piräaus spielte sehr auf Sicherheit und war dabei auch auf Tempoverschleppung aus – mehr aber auch nicht. Gefährlicher waren aber die Kanarienvögel, die nach Ballgewinnen vor allem dank Ideen- und Taktgeber Assoumani gefährliche Konter fuhren und über Mafoumbi (16., 22., 43.) und Dugard (38.) zu einem Chancenplus kamen.

Olympiakos wiederum kam eher seltener vors gegnerische Tor, jubelte dann aber dennoch über das vermeintliche 1:0 durch Charalampos Kostoulas im Anschluss an einen ruhenden Ball. Der VAR-Check, der in der Youth League ab dem Halbfinale zum Einsatz kommt, zeigte jedoch, dass Konstantinos Kostoulas den Ball noch mit der Hand touchiert hatte. Das hatte zur Folge, dass der Treffer zurückgenommen wurde.

Hektik und Nickeligkeiten nach der Pause

Die Führung wäre aber auch sehr schmeichelhaft gewesen, da Nantes den besseren Eindruck machte und viel mehr nach vorne investierte. Das blieb auch nach Wiederanpfiff so – Guirassy prüfte aus der Distanz Sina (56.). Die Franzosen machten Betrieb, taten sich aber schwer mit dem griechischen Bollwerk, das zwar nicht viel nach vorne unternahm, dafür aber hinten weitgehend alles wegverteidigte. So blieb es in diesem von Nickeligkeiten und Hektik geprägten Duell lange Zeit beim 0:0.

So kam es, wie es kommen musste. Die Entscheidung wurde im Elfmeterschießen herbeigeführt. In diesem bewiesen die Griechen die stärkeren Nerven: Während bei den Franzosen lediglich Touré verwandelte, trafen Bakoulas, Charlampos Kostoulas und zu guter Letzt Liatsikouras für Olympiakos – und sorgten so dafür, dass erstmals in der Geschichte ein griechisches Team ein Youth-League-Finale bestreiten wird.

Tore und Karten

Tore Fehlanzeige

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Olympiakos Piräus

Piräus

A. Sina – K. Kostoulas , Koutsidis, V. Prekates – A. Koutsogoulas , T. Bakoulas, C. Mouzakitis, N. Alafakis, A. Papakanellos, S. Pnevmonidis – C. Kostoulas

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FC Nantes

FC Nantes

T. Mabon – M. Acapandié, T. Dugard, M. Mwamba, L. Gautier – M. Gomes, L. Leroux , B. Guirassy , Assoumani , B. Nzita – E. Mafoumbi

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Schiedsrichter-Team

Christian-Petru Ciochirca
Österreich

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Spielinfo
Stadion Stade de Colovray
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Das Finale in Nyon steigt am Montag – und dort geht es für Piräus gegen den Gewinner des zweiten Halbfinales, das am Abend der FC Porto und AC Mailand (LIVE! ab 18 Uhr bei kicker).

Einnahmen verdoppelt: McDonald’s wird neuer Namenssponsor der Ligue 1

Geldregen für die französische Ligue 1. Der nationale Dachverband hat einen neuen Sponsorenvertrag für die Namensrechte offiziell gemacht – die Einnahmen sollen sich Medienberichten zufolge im Vergleich zum vorherigen Deal verdoppeln.

Bald Geschichte: Bis zum Sommer ist Uber Eats noch Namenssponsor der Ligue 1 - dann übernimmt McDonald's.

Bald Geschichte: Bis zum Sommer ist Uber Eats noch Namenssponsor der Ligue 1 – dann übernimmt McDonald’s.

IMAGO/AOP.Press

Aktuell ist im offiziellen Titel der ersten französischen Liga ein Lieferdienst verewigt, zur neuen Saison gibt es einen neuen Sponsor. Ab der kommenden Saison wird McDonald’s Namenssponsor der Ligue 1, die sich damit “Ligue 1 McDonald’s” nennen wird.

Wie die Ligue de Football Professionell (LFP), der Dachverband der französischen Profiligen vergleichbar mit der DFL, am Donnerstag bekanntgab, ist die Partnerschaft mit dem US-amerikanischen Fast-Food-Unternehmen auf drei Jahre ausgelegt, beginnend mit dem 1. Juli 2024 und damit mit der Saison 2024/25.

Ligue 1 hofft auf weltweiten Wachstum

Die Ligue 1 erhofft sich nach eigenen Angaben durch die Partnerschaft mit McDonald’s dank deren “internationaler Dimension” einen zusätzlichen Wachstumsschub außerhalb Frankreichs und eine Weiterentwicklung der Marke.

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Vincent Labrune, Präsident der LFP, sieht in dem Deal mit dem international weit verbreiteten Unternehmen ein “starkes Signal für die Attraktivität der Ligue 1” in einer Zeit, “in der die Begeisterung für die Ligue 1 so groß ist wie nie zuvor, insbesondere mit Rekordandrang in den Stadien”.

Einem Bericht der L‘Equipe zufolge erhält die Ligue 1 für die Namensrechte gut 90 Millionen Dollar über die drei Jahre, was eine deutliche Steigerung der Einnahmen im Vergleich zur vorherigen Partnerschaft mit Uber Eats darstellt. Demnach habe die Liga ihre Einnahmen fast verdoppelt. Uber Eats stieg 2020 als Titelsponsor in der französischen Liga ein und zahlte angeblich 16 Millionen Euro pro Jahr.

Ludovic Blas fires Nantes to Coupe de France final win over Nice

FC Nantes secured their fourth Coupe de France crown and their first major trophy since 2001 as Antoine Kombouare’s side edged out OGC Nice 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris to celebrate a long-awaited triumph.

The first half was cagey for both sides, with few clear-cut chances of note being created as the enormity of the occasion may have affected the players on the pitch.

However, just 15 seconds into the second half, there was drama as Nantes were awarded a penalty. Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui was judged to have handled the ball in the box by match official Stephanie Frappart.

Ligue 1

PSG slip up as Ligue 1 rivals Nice grab late winner

05/03/2022 AT 19:07

Nantes striker Ludovic Blas made no mistake from the spot-kick, as the forward smashed his penalty into the top corner beyond Marcin Bulka in the Nice goal to give Les Canaris the advantage with his 14th goal of the season.

Nice then had back-to-back chances midway through the second half to level the game, as Amine Gouiri’s low shot was kept out by Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont with a diving save. The follow-up from Andy Delort was then cleared off the line by defender Andrei Girotto.

Les Canaris held on in the dying moments to secure another famous night in their 79-year history – as tempers flared in the dying seconds.

TALKING POINT – A famous night for Nantes

After struggles in recent years, which has seen no less than two relegations to Ligue 2 in the period between their last major success, this victory will be sweet for the Nantes fans at the Stade de France.

Les Canaris previously won this trophy in 2000, with their last Ligue 1 success coming a year later. It has been a long 21-year wait for silverware but Nantes can now call themselves four-time Coupe de France winners.

Despite their current mid-table placing in Ligue 1, this victory means that Nantes now qualify for next season’s Europa League, which will be an exciting prospect given how many years it has been since they last competed on the European stage.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Nicolas Pallois

What a colossal display it was from the 34-year-old centre-back, who put in yet another terrific defensive performance for Nantes to ensure that his side were the ones to have their hands on a their fourth Coupe de France.

Pallois, who operated on the left of a three-man Nantes defence, was always at the right place, at the right time. This was summed up by his clearances and tackling.

It is well known that the defender was a close friend of Emiliano Sala, and there is no doubt that Pallois will be dedicating this triumph to his late former Nantes teammate.

PLAYER RATINGS

OGC Nice: Bulka 6, Dante 6, Todibo 6, Lotomba 6, Bard 6, Gouiri 7, Boudaoui 5, Thuram 6, Rosario 6, Delort 6, Dolberg 5. Subs: Brahimi 6, Lemina 6, Kluivert 6, Guessand 5.

FC Nantes: Lafont 7, Girotto 7, Castelletto 6, Pallois 8, Blas 7, Coco 6, Chirivella 6, Merlin 6, Moutoussamy 6, Simon 6, Muani 6. Subs: Fabio 6, Cyprien 6, Bukari 6.

KEY MOMENTS

29’- CLOSE! – Gouiri has a big chance for Nice, but it is blocked! The midfielder picks up the ball on the edge of the area, before going for goal with a low shot towards the bottom-right corner, but the ball takes a touch off a Nantes defender and trickles wide! Corner for Nice.

27’ – SAVE! – Merlin plays a good first-time ball from the left flank for Blas in the centre of the box, but Bulka rushes off his line to make a save with his legs and put his body on the line! Great goalkeeping.

46’ – PENALTY TO NANTES! – Within 15 seconds of the second half kicking off, Boudaoui is penalised for handling the ball in the box from Merlin’s pass! Drama here!

47’ – GOAL! (Ludovic Blas penalty) – What a penalty! Nantes lead here at the Stade de France! Blas smashes his spot-kick into the roof of the net to give his side the dream start to the second half for Les Canaris!

70’ – FANTASTIC LAST-DITCH DEFENDING BY NANTES! – Gouiri causes problems in the box again, as the midfielder fires in a low shot which forces Lafont to make a diving save! Delort then opts to hit the follow-up, but Girotto is there to make a crucial goal-line clearance.

KEY STATS

  • Nantes win their first major trophy in 21 years – (Ligue 1 and Champions Trophy in 2001 were their last). This is their fourth French Cup victory in their history, after previous successes in 1979, 1999 and 2000.
  • 68% of Coupe de France finals in the 21st century have been won by a one-goal margin (15/22). 10 of these 22 finals were won by the score of 1-0 (45 %).

Ligue 1

Nantes stun PSG with first-half flurry as red card overturned, Neymar scores and misses penalty

19/02/2022 AT 19:18

Coupe de France

PSG crash out of Coupe de France after shootout defeat to Nice

31/01/2022 AT 22:50

Ludovic Blas fires Nantes to Coupe de France final win over Nice

FC Nantes secured their fourth Coupe de France crown and their first major trophy since 2001 as Antoine Kombouare’s side edged out OGC Nice 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris to celebrate a long-awaited triumph.

The first half was cagey for both sides, with few clear-cut chances of note being created as the enormity of the occasion may have affected the players on the pitch.

However, just 15 seconds into the second half, there was drama as Nantes were awarded a penalty. Nice midfielder Hicham Boudaoui was judged to have handled the ball in the box by match official Stephanie Frappart.

Ligue 1

PSG slip up as Ligue 1 rivals Nice grab late winner

05/03/2022 AT 19:07

Nantes striker Ludovic Blas made no mistake from the spot-kick, as the forward smashed his penalty into the top corner beyond Marcin Bulka in the Nice goal to give Les Canaris the advantage with his 14th goal of the season.

Nice then had back-to-back chances midway through the second half to level the game, as Amine Gouiri’s low shot was kept out by Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont with a diving save. The follow-up from Andy Delort was then cleared off the line by defender Andrei Girotto.

Les Canaris held on in the dying moments to secure another famous night in their 79-year history – as tempers flared in the dying seconds.

TALKING POINT – A famous night for Nantes

After struggles in recent years, which has seen no less than two relegations to Ligue 2 in the period between their last major success, this victory will be sweet for the Nantes fans at the Stade de France.

Les Canaris previously won this trophy in 2000, with their last Ligue 1 success coming a year later. It has been a long 21-year wait for silverware but Nantes can now call themselves four-time Coupe de France winners.

Despite their current mid-table placing in Ligue 1, this victory means that Nantes now qualify for next season’s Europa League, which will be an exciting prospect given how many years it has been since they last competed on the European stage.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Nicolas Pallois

What a colossal display it was from the 34-year-old centre-back, who put in yet another terrific defensive performance for Nantes to ensure that his side were the ones to have their hands on a their fourth Coupe de France.

Pallois, who operated on the left of a three-man Nantes defence, was always at the right place, at the right time. This was summed up by his clearances and tackling.

It is well known that the defender was a close friend of Emiliano Sala, and there is no doubt that Pallois will be dedicating this triumph to his late former Nantes teammate.

PLAYER RATINGS

OGC Nice: Bulka 6, Dante 6, Todibo 6, Lotomba 6, Bard 6, Gouiri 7, Boudaoui 5, Thuram 6, Rosario 6, Delort 6, Dolberg 5. Subs: Brahimi 6, Lemina 6, Kluivert 6, Guessand 5.

FC Nantes: Lafont 7, Girotto 7, Castelletto 6, Pallois 8, Blas 7, Coco 6, Chirivella 6, Merlin 6, Moutoussamy 6, Simon 6, Muani 6. Subs: Fabio 6, Cyprien 6, Bukari 6.

KEY MOMENTS

29’- CLOSE! – Gouiri has a big chance for Nice, but it is blocked! The midfielder picks up the ball on the edge of the area, before going for goal with a low shot towards the bottom-right corner, but the ball takes a touch off a Nantes defender and trickles wide! Corner for Nice.

27’ – SAVE! – Merlin plays a good first-time ball from the left flank for Blas in the centre of the box, but Bulka rushes off his line to make a save with his legs and put his body on the line! Great goalkeeping.

46’ – PENALTY TO NANTES! – Within 15 seconds of the second half kicking off, Boudaoui is penalised for handling the ball in the box from Merlin’s pass! Drama here!

47’ – GOAL! (Ludovic Blas penalty) – What a penalty! Nantes lead here at the Stade de France! Blas smashes his spot-kick into the roof of the net to give his side the dream start to the second half for Les Canaris!

70’ – FANTASTIC LAST-DITCH DEFENDING BY NANTES! – Gouiri causes problems in the box again, as the midfielder fires in a low shot which forces Lafont to make a diving save! Delort then opts to hit the follow-up, but Girotto is there to make a crucial goal-line clearance.

KEY STATS

  • Nantes win their first major trophy in 21 years – (Ligue 1 and Champions Trophy in 2001 were their last). This is their fourth French Cup victory in their history, after previous successes in 1979, 1999 and 2000.
  • 68% of Coupe de France finals in the 21st century have been won by a one-goal margin (15/22). 10 of these 22 finals were won by the score of 1-0 (45 %).

Ligue 1

Nantes stun PSG with first-half flurry as red card overturned, Neymar scores and misses penalty

19/02/2022 AT 19:18

Coupe de France

PSG crash out of Coupe de France after shootout defeat to Nice

31/01/2022 AT 22:50