Former France international midfielders and FC Nantes youth products Didier Deschamps and Claude Makélélé are expected to attend the Europa League playoff round second leg between Les Canaris and Juventus Turin, according to a report from RMC Sport. The Antoine Kombouaré-led side and I Bianconeri have drawn 1-1 at Allianz Stadium last week with Dusan Vlahovic opening the scoring for the hosts before Ludovic Blas scored the equalising goal.
In order to celebrate the 1996 Champions League semi-finals tie between Nantes and Juventus, Nantes’ president and owner Waldemar Kita has invited former Canaris players from that day, such as Claude Makélélé, Japhet N’Doram, Georges Eo and Jocelyn Gourvennec as well as legendary Nantes head coach Jean-Claude Suaudeau, to attend the game. Current France’s national team boss Didier Deschamps is also expected to be here. Deschamps, a former Nantes youth product, was in the Marcello Lippi-led side in 1996. After eliminating Nantes, he became a two-time Champions League winner with Juventus, three years after becoming the youngest ever captain to lift the Champions League with Marseille.
Deschamps may also benefit from attending the game by keeping a close eye on France internationals Adrien Rabiot from Juventus and Nantes goalkeeper Alban Lafont. Nantes v Juventus will kick-off at a Stade de la Beaujoire in full voice this Thursday at 6:45 CET.