FC Nantes manager focuses on tactical evolution amid goalkeeper selection pressure

FC Nantes manager Grégory Poirier expressed satisfaction with the team's collective evolution following two friendly losses against Le Mans (3-1) and Lorient (2-1) during the international break. Poirier noted that the matches allowed him to work on a hybrid 3-5-2 system and refine team cohesion, despite the lack of positive results. The break also provided opportunities for younger players, such as Loan Merrifield, who scored against Lorient shortly after signing his first professional contract.

Simultaneously, pressure is mounting on goalkeeper Maxime Dupé following a difficult start to the 2026-2027 season. A fan poll conducted by But! FC Nantes on X revealed that 81.4% of supporters favor Patrik Carlgren over Dupé for the starting position in the upcoming match against Stade de Reims on October 10. While Dupé currently maintains the coach's confidence, the significant margin in the poll highlights growing supporter demand for a change in goal.