Carlgren Shines Against PSG in Nantes Stunner
After weeks as backup, goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren stepped into the starting lineup for a struggling Nantes side facing the daunting challenge of French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Carlgren, who joined Nantes and settled behind 25-year-old Alban Lafont in the pecking order this summer, was thrust into the spotlight on Saturday, his debut marked by a formidable performance against the Ligue 1 leaders.
“Carlgren is the surprise,” RMC Sport declared before kickoff. And indeed, the Swede was a revelation.
PSG did strike first.
Achraf Hakimi, demonstrating his attacking prowess, put the Parisians up 1-0 just two minutes into the match, sending a saber-like shot past Carlgren. But the 32-year-old goalkeeper quickly identified himself as more than a mere bystander in the face of top-flight opposition. He found himself under heavy fire throughout the match, but Carlgren remained collected and composure. He parried several shots confidently, showcasing his experience and calming influence even in the face of relentless attacks.
“A winning choice of Kombouare (Antoine, coach in Nantes) so far,” RMC Sport observed just before half-time.
Carlgren’s performance wasn’t going unnoticed by those closely following the match.
“Carlgren, Douglas, and Abline have been very sharp in the first half,” raved Emmanuel Merceron, a Nantes observer, on X (formerly Twitter).
Matthis Albine leveled the score for Nantes in the 38th minute, tying the match at 1-1 and sending both sides into the dressing room for halftime with a renewed sense of urgency.
The second half delivered a similar narrative – intense, end-to-end action, with PSG dominating possession, racking up an impressive 85% share and unleashing a barrage of shots on Carlgren’s goal.
But Nantes held strong.
"We are very happy with the score. We were under a lot of pressure. I think we deserved the point and it gives us confidence," Carlgren said in an interview with DAZN, relief and pride evident in his tone.
After the final whistle blew, signaling a hard-fought draw for Nantes, coach Antoine Kombouare praised Carlgren, referencing his composure and his understanding of the musicality and rhythm of the game
- He (Carlgren) is a goalkeeper who radiates joie de vivre and he has a lot of experience. I didn’t give him a present. I believed it and had to test it.
He exudes calmness. This is not a penalty for Alban (Lafont), Kombouare said.
The result will surely add to the pressure mounting on PSG manager Luis Enrique, whose team’s performance in the Champions League has raised concerns.
Meanwhile, Nantes, with their surprising point against one of France’s powerhouses, find themselves secure in a qualifying spot.
The starting lineups were:
PSG: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz – Kang-In, Ramos, Barcola.
Nantes: Carlgren – Centonze, Castelletto, Zeze, Pallois, Cozza – Lepenant, Chirivella, Douglas Augusto – Abline, Simon.
How did Patrik Carlgren’s performance against PSG impact his standing within the Nantes team?
## Nantes’ Carlgren: From Backup to PSG Stopper
**Host:** Joining us today is football analyst, Jean-Pierre Dupont, to discuss the stunning performance of Nantes goalkeeper Patrik Carlgren against PSG. Welcome to the show, Jean-Pierre!
**Jean-Pierre Dupont:** Thank you for having me. What a match it was!
**Host:** Absolutely! Carlgren, who had been the backup keeper, was thrown into the starting lineup against the formidable PSG attack. What were your initial thoughts when seeing him in goal?
**Jean-Pierre Dupont:** Honestly, I was surprised. Everyone expected Alban Lafont to start, but Antoine Kombouare clearly saw something special in Carlgren. And boy, did he prove him right!
**Host:** PSG certainly didn’t make it easy for him. They scored early with Hakimi’s thunderbolt, but Carlgren didn’t crumble. What impressed you most about his performance?
**Jean-Pierre Dupont:** His composure under pressure. PSG kept attacking relentlessly, but Carlgren remained calm and collected. He made some fantastic saves, especially considering this was his debut for Nantes.
**Host:** RMC Sport called him “the surprise” before the match and even lauded Kombouare’s decision to start Carlgren. Did you agree with that assessment?
**Jean-Pierre Dupont:** Absolutely. Carlgren showed incredible maturity and experience for a player who wasn’t expected to start. He was definitely a key factor in Nantes’ surprising performance against PSG.
**Host:** Where do you see this performance taking Carlgren?
**Jean-Pierre Dupont:** This definitely puts him firmly in the discussion for the starting spot. He’s shown he can handle the pressure of playing against the best, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting more games for Nantes in the future.
**Host:** Well said, Jean-Pierre. It’ll be fascinating to see how Carlgren navigates this newfound opportunity. Thanks for joining us today and sharing your insights!