FC Nantes 0 v 0 AFCB
Estimated Attendance 5000 (including 101 Cherries)
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| AFCB players at FC Nantes. |
If pre-season friendlies had been a breeze up to this point for the Cherries, then they had a real game on here taking on FC Nantes. The first half saw the French Ligue one side stretch the Cherries in all directions and apart from the first five minutes it was Nantes who dominated play, snatching possession and breaking fast. Yet, if any team had a great chance to win the game it was AFCB in the last three minutes when a handball gifted Matt Ritchie with a penalty kick. Sadly, he was not accurate enough and his slip saw the ball rise over the bar and with it went AFCB's hopes of winning this friendly. If AFCb had a player to congratulate though it was Adam Federici who had worked valiantly to keep the score at 0-0.
Eddie Howe decided to mix up the first team squad with lots of U21 Development players coming into the team to take on FC Nantes. Josh King lined up playing wide on the left and Wilson and Kermorgant started up front. The test was really to see how long some of the first team players would be given in match conditions and how many subs would be made at half time or shortly after. With Daniels, Elphick, Francis, Ritchie and Surman playing there were plenty of first choice players getting a workout.
The players that were rested included: Artur Boruc, Ryan Allsop, Tyrone Mings, Steve Cook, Sylvain Distin, Elliott Ward, Adam Smith, Christian Atsu, Shaun MacDonald, Eunan O'Kane and Marc Pugh.
AFCB team
Federici, Francis, Elphick, Cargill, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, King, Kermorgant, Wilson
AFCB Subs: Holmes, Costa, Butcher, Wakefield, Carmichael, Matthews, Whitfield.
Match Summary
The task facing AFCB was soon very apparent in this match. FC Nantes were a dominant force in the first half hour, attacking with pace on the break and stretching the Cherries defence. Nantes had the ball in the net after 17 minutes but AFCB were lucky to have it flagged offside. Bammoj, Oliviera Tavares and Walongwa were causing lots of problems for the Cherries. One way traffic is a phrase that comes to mind.
AFCB attacks were quickly breaking down while Nantes were delivering great crosses into the Cherries' box. AFCB were struggling to get anything productive going in the final third of the pitch. Defence was the order of the day with Kermorgant coming back to provide cover. Nantes were piling on the pressure with several corners, but Federici had not had to make an amazing save up until this point.
Nantes came close when Oliviera Tavares volleyed over, but the Cherries were holding out. When Wilson did get the ball in and around the box he tried to trick his way through but was not having much luck. meanwhile, Josh King was getting caught offside just helping Nantes' possession stats to grow further.
The key moment of the first half came when Audel was through one-on-one with Federici but the Australian keeper made a great save and the chance was gone for the Nantes player. AFCB's main contest seemed to be whether Francis or Kermorgant would concede the most corners.
Second half
Ritchie went in the book early on for a poor challenge on Thomasson.Moimbe then beat Francis on the wing like he wasn't even there. Tommy Elphick made a foul some 30 yards out which gave Nantes a great chance to shoot as it was dead centre, but Oliviera Tavares hit it straight over the top.
Moimbe was next to be pulled up for a foul on Francis and he was yellow carded. Ritchie took the free kick to the right of the box and had a shot but it was blocked. Nantes were first to make subs on the hour with two new players coming on.
Not a lot was going well for the Cherries as Wilson gets caught offside. With 65 minutes gone the game is starting to slow down a bit. AFCB's first sub was Filippo Costa replacing King on the left wing. Nantes are also bring on more subs.
Baily Cargill is fitting in well with Elphick - the pair seem well suited to play together. They are getting a workout tonight. In the final 10 minutes AFCB are starting to retain possession a bit better. Kermorgant lays a great ball off to Francis, but he screws it wide. Vizcarrondo catches wilson and is straight in the book.
Costa and Daniels are now linking up well and Costa wins a free kick. Wakefield and Carmichael get to play out the last five minutes for AFCB. Off come Gosling and Surman. A handball gives AFCB a penalty with just three minutes of normal time to go. Ritchie wants to take it, but he slips and puts it over! Strange that Yann kermorgant did not take the kick, but there you go the chance has gone.
Matt Butcher comes on to the field and replaces Elphick and there is the final whistle 0-0.
Final thoughts
Baily Cargill is fitting in well with Elphick - the pair seem well suited to play together. They are getting a workout tonight. In the final 10 minutes AFCB are starting to retain possession a bit better. Kermorgant lays a great ball off to Francis, but he screws it wide. Vizcarrondo catches wilson and is straight in the book.
Costa and Daniels are now linking up well and Costa wins a free kick. Wakefield and Carmichael get to play out the last five minutes for AFCB. Off come Gosling and Surman. A handball gives AFCB a penalty with just three minutes of normal time to go. Ritchie wants to take it, but he slips and puts it over! Strange that Yann kermorgant did not take the kick, but there you go the chance has gone.
Matt Butcher comes on to the field and replaces Elphick and there is the final whistle 0-0.
Final thoughts
It will be of interest to know if Artur Boruc is fit to play in the next game. He had been diagnosed with a shoulder injury but it had not been considered that bad even though he had missed the Exeter City match. He might be a doubt for the game against Hoffenheim in a weeks time. The surprises for the team selection in this match were the inclusion of so many Development Squad players - Jordan Holmes, Filippo Costa, Matt Butcher, Josh Carmichael, Ben Whitfield and Sam Mathews. Eddie Howe clearly wanted to rest some players. When I asked on the Live Blog, how had Dan Gosling had done after the first 45 minutes? The reply came back that: "The midfield haven't had a great time to be honest. Not able to hold possession or do anything incisive in that first half."
During the second half the Cherries managed better and while the substitutions slowed things down there was a great chance for Ritchie to win the game from the spot. It was probably apt that he slipped and missed as AFCB were not the boss of this game, and a draw was a good result for the Cherries considering how they had to hold out for most of the match. As an exercise the players got plenty of minutes and Adam Federici did nothing to hurt his case for a start having been man of the match.
FC Nantes v AFCB - match tweets from AFC Bournemouth
01: Wilson and Kermorgant get the game underway.
03: Early chance for Nantes as Federici tips a powerful header over the bar.
04: Daniels holds off pressure to weave his way into the area and earn #afcb their first corner.
05: Wilson meets the corner, but the referee says the ball had already gone out of play. #afcb
06: Second corner in as many minutes for #afcb, with King this time the architect of the attack.
During the second half the Cherries managed better and while the substitutions slowed things down there was a great chance for Ritchie to win the game from the spot. It was probably apt that he slipped and missed as AFCB were not the boss of this game, and a draw was a good result for the Cherries considering how they had to hold out for most of the match. As an exercise the players got plenty of minutes and Adam Federici did nothing to hurt his case for a start having been man of the match.
01: Wilson and Kermorgant get the game underway.
03: Early chance for Nantes as Federici tips a powerful header over the bar.
04: Daniels holds off pressure to weave his way into the area and earn #afcb their first corner.
05: Wilson meets the corner, but the referee says the ball had already gone out of play. #afcb
06: Second corner in as many minutes for #afcb, with King this time the architect of the attack.
06: Wilson brings the ball down on the edge of the area, but Nantes clear.
06: Second corner in as many minutes for #afcb , with King this time the architect of the attack.
07: Cargill sends in a cross which but it is too comfortable for the 'keeper who catches easily.
07: Cargill sends in a cross which but it is too comfortable for the 'keeper who catches easily.
AFC Bournemouth @afcbournemouth 14: The ball flashes across Federici's goal and Daniels is forced to divert the ball behind for a corner.
14: Federici is in action again; this time he parries a long-range effort before gathering the rebound.
15: Another teasing ball is whipped into the #afcb box, but fortunately for #afcb no one can connect.
17: Let off for #afcb as Bammou is flagged offside, after he slotted the ball beyond Federici.
19: Audel chases down a ball over the top, but Cargill keeps watch and it goes through to Federici.
21: Another chance for Nantes as Toure hits a powerful volley into the side netting.
19: Audel chases down a ball over the top, but Cargill keeps watch and it goes through to Federici.
21: Another chance for Nantes as Toure hits a powerful volley into the side netting.
26: Thomasson's deflected effort goes wide for a Nantes corner. The hosts are on top here.
27: Kermorgant puts the ball behind for a second consecutive Nantes corner.
27: Federici times his move to perfection to punch the ball out for a Nantes throw.
33: Another let-off for #afcb as a Nantes free kick is headed behind for a corner.
34: Toure plays in Audel & Federici is again called into action, as he is forced to save from close range.
36: Daniels plays in Wilson, but his trickery doesn't enable him to set up a shooting opportunity.
37: Nantes break and Oliviera Tavares hits a first time cross narrowly over the bar. Still 0-0
38: Wilson slips the ball through to King but a well-timed challenge means he is quickly dispossessed.
43: Another great save from Federici! He gets down low to save from Audel, who was through one-on-one.
Half time: @FCNantes 0-0 @afcBournemouth
48: Ritchie is booked for a clumsy challenge on Thomasson
57: Elphick is penalised for a foul 30 yards out, but Oliviera Tavares' set piece sails over the bar
59: Francis is fouled by Moimbe and #afcb have a free kick just outside the area. Ritchie to take..
66: Iloki flashes a shot across goal from a tight angle - a good chance for the hosts
71: First substitution for #afcb as King is replaced by Costa
81: Best chance of the game for #afcb as Kermorgant lays a free kick off to Francis and he hits it wide.
86: Double substitution for #afcb as Wakefield and Carmichael replace Gosling and Surman.
87: Penalty to #afcb !
87: Kermorgant resumes play after the substitution with a free kick, which is handled in the area!
87: Ritchie loses his footing as he goes to take the spot kick and hits it over the bar. Still 0-0.
89: Butcher replaces Elphick for #afcb . Still 0-0:
Full time: @FCNantes 0-0 #afcb.
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