Match Previews

Kim (k)(att) out due to illness...Dia (r)(mid) makes the squad but may not play...Zerka (r)(mid) and Bracigliano (r)(gk) certainly missing... AS Nancy welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to France for the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie knowing that they have a slim advantage to protect having drawn the first leg 1-1. Frustration will be the main emotion felt by Nancy after the draw in the Ukraine as they should really have held on to win after Marc-Antoine Fortune’s (r) late strike gave the visitors a vital lead, only for Donetsk to equalise moments later. Nancy, however, dominated the first leg and should be confident of progressing if they can find a similar performance on Thursday evening. On the injury front things are looking brighter for Nancy, Dia (sp) starting training again after an injury that has ruled him out since January and returns to the squad for this match while both Lecluse (sp) and Sauget (r) are back after a week of rest. Kim (k), who was sent-off at the weekend for a rash tackle in the defeat to PSG, is not expected to play as he is ill but there is more positive news with regard to Puygrenier (r) and Fortune (struggling with flu and a thigh problem respectively) as they should both start. Fortune has proven himself to be a vital player for ASNL after joining up from Utrecht in the winter transfer market and has been the focal point of many of their attacks, helping to assist a couple of goals as well as maintaining a fine scoring record. He should play at the pinnacle of a 4-3-3 formation in which Hadji (sp) and Curbelo (r) are the other likely forwards. In midfield Sauget may well make a return while Duchemin (r) may also continue. There is plenty of competition in this area of the side despite injury to regular starter Monsef Zerka (r) and any one of the trio of Andre Luiz (sp), who could also play in defence, Brechet (sp) or Gavanon (r) could realistically play in the final position. The back four should welcome back Chretien (r) while Puygrenier (r) and Biancalini (r) should also continue. Adailton (r) is still missing from this unit as is first choice goalkeeper Gennaro Bracigliano (r), who will be replaced once more by Gregorini (sp) as Nancy look to progress to the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup.