Blas on the spot as Nantes reach Coupe semis | OneFootball

Star forwards Ludovic Blas and Randal Kolo Muani stepped up to do the damage in Nantes at-times tricky 2-0 Coupe de France quarter-final win over Ligue 2 BKT side SC Bastia. Les Canaris will play host to Monaco in the semis…

In his pre-match presser, Nantes boss Antoine Kombouaré called on his star forwards to perform and although not everything went Les Canaris' way, Ludovic Blas (03', pen.) and Randal Kolo Muani (71') stepped up to the plate to secure the precious passage to the Coupe de France semi-finals.

Blas: 'They put us under the pump' "We scored early in the game, but then we backed off too much," explained Blas, who opened the scoring from the spot after Kolo Muani was taken down in the area. "Bastia are a good team, and they put us under the pump. But then we scored the second goal to finish them off."

Indeed, Nantes struggled under long periods of sustained pressure from a dogged Bastia side, notably in the first half, but a stellar performance from number two goalkeeper Rémy Descamps kept them in control of the match. Les Canaris' No10 Blas then managed to create the danger for the precious second goal. His low, hard cross was too much for Bastia 'keeper Johny Placide to handle and Kolo Muani was on hand to rifle home.

Home comforts

"After that, we were in control. We lost fewer silly balls. We rectified certain things but we had to remain concentrated and solid defensively," continued Blas, who now has ten goals this season in all competitions, before eyeing off Nantes' next Coupe hurdle. "We will be hosting (Monaco), so that's something in our favour." Kombouaré and his men now turn their attention to Sunday's Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 24 clash at home to Stade de Reims.

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(Photo FCNantes.com)