Nantes captain Blas vindicated after being ´taken for a madman´

Nantes captain Ludovic Blas said he “was taken for a madman” after insisting the club had a good team last year, but had the last laugh after lifting the Coupe de France on Saturday.

La Maison Jaune beat Nice 1-0 in the final at the Stade de France thanks to Blas’ penalty early in the second half.

The 24-year-old midfielder emphatically drilled home his spot-kick after Hicham Boudaoui handled and that was enough for Nantes to win their first major trophy for 21 years, marking the fourth time the club has lifted the Coupe de France.

It has been quite the comeback story for Nantes, who only avoided slipping down to Ligue 2 last season after beating Toulouse on away goals in the relegation playoff.

“Last year, I persisted in saying that we had a good team. I persisted,” Blas said after lifting the cup. “I was just saying that, and we had talented players. I was taken for a madman. 

“Now, I would like people to remember that, and not take me for a fool. Frankly, it’s the most beautiful thing that could happen. Being this close to going down to Ligue 2, and winning the Coupe de France shows that I really wasn’t wrong about this team.”