Nantes vs Auxerre

Nantes 

• Core attackers: Matthis Abline (9G, 2A, 2,789 mins) and Moses Simon (8G, 10A, 2,626 mins) - both carried last season’s attack, but Simon has now left, creating a huge creative gap. 

• Midfield anchored by Chirivella (2,363 mins) and Douglas Augusto (4G, 2A), though both showed limited attacking output. 

• Defense weakened: Castelletto (CB, 2,623 mins) and Pallois (veteran CB) gone → massive leadership loss. 

• Abline remains key finisher, but service quality has dropped. 

Auxerre 

• Attacking thrust: Gaëtan Perrin (10G, 11A, 2,707 mins) and Hamed Traoré (10G, 2A, 2,109 mins) - main creative engines. 

• Sinayoko (5G, 8A, 2,308 mins) adds balance on the wings. 

• Defense formerly led by Jubal (6G, 2,643 mins) and Hoever (2,142 mins), but both have left, leaving gaps in central defense and RB. 

• Owusu (midfield stability, 2,356 mins) still reliable but lacking elite support around him. 

2. Departures Impact

Nantes 

• Key departures: Moses Simon (winger), Castelletto (CB), Chirivella (midfield engine), Pallois (CB leader). 

• Squad lost spine across attack, midfield, and defense → serious downgrade in structure. 

• New defensive signings (Awaziem, Radakovic) not yet proven at the same level. 

Auxerre 

• Jubal (captain CB, 6 goals), Hoever (attacking RB), Hamed Traoré (10G), Perrin (10G, 11A) all gone. 

• Huge hit to creativity and leadership. 

• Essentially lost best scorer + best creator + defensive organizer → core team identity dismantled. 

3. New Player Integration

Nantes 

• Awaziem (CB), Kwon (DM), El Arabi (38, striker), Hong (midfield energy) provide experience but little long-term upside. 

• Attack reshaped with Abline + Ganago + Kadewere - but none consistent scorers at Ligue 1 level. 

• Lafont (GK return) adds stability. 

Auxerre 

• Brought in Sierralta (CB), Massengo (CM), Casimir (winger), Ado Onaiwu (ST), Osman (wing talent). 

• Younger, energetic squad but lacks the proven end product Perrin and Traoré offered. 

• Rotation boosted, but no clear leader yet. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Nantes 

• Simon (8G, 10A) gone → attacking output falls heavily on Abline (9G). 

• New arrivals like El Arabi too old to replace Simon’s creativity. 

• Current attack looks predictable, lacking variety. 

Auxerre 

• Lost Perrin (10+11) and Traoré (10+2) → 20+ goals gone. 

• Still some balance in Sinayoko (5+8) and rotation options (Casimir, Osman), but total firepower significantly reduced. 

• Expect lower scoring matches. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Nantes 

• Subs include Sorba Thomas (1G, 3A in 1,327 mins), Kadewere (1G, 2A), Ganago (rotation forward). 

• Depth is thin and inconsistent, more reliant on youth prospects like Leroux, Benhattab. 

• Hardly any proven game-changers from the bench. 

Auxerre 

• Osman (3G, 3A), Casimir (4G, 3A) can change games but still unpolished. 

• Bair, Onaiwu rotation forwards with moderate output. 

• Depth looks deeper than Nantes’, but quality is below Ligue 1 top-half standard. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Nantes Problem: Losing Moses Simon, Castelletto, Chirivella, and Pallois leaves them vulnerable at both ends. Attacking output expected to drop, heavy reliance on Abline. 

1. Auxerre Problem: Massive blow with the loss of Perrin, Traoré, and Jubal. While squad has energy, creativity and defensive structure have been gutted. 

1. Likely Flow: Low-scoring, cautious game. Nantes will lean on Abline in transition, Auxerre on Sinayoko + Casimir wide creativity. Neither side has a proven match-winner now. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Nantes: ★★☆☆☆ (Below Average) - lost too many leaders, unclear attack plan without Simon. 

• Auxerre: ★★☆☆☆ (Below Average) - energy from new recruits but core quality gone. 

Projected Result: Draw (0–0 or 1–1). Both teams too weakened by departures to dominate; match likely scrappy with few clear chances.