Reims miss chance

Reims missed the chance to go level on points with Ligue 1 leaders Marseille after they played out a goalless draw with Nantes.

Reims missed the chance to go level on points with Ligue 1 leaders Marseille after they played out a goalless draw with Nantes. Hubert Fournier's side have made a fine start to the season and started the match in fifth with six points from three games including a win against Lyon last weekend. Nantes, by contrast, had recorded just one win from their three matches so far, on the first day of the season against Bastia. However, it was the visitors who had the best of the first half and were superior in terms of attack. Vincent Bessat collected the ball inside the Reims area and unleashed a snap shot which forced goalkeeper Kossi Agassa to go down for a fine save. Bessat was heavily involved in Reims' attacks and minutes later he was freed at the left angle of the area by Jordan Veretout and his low shot went inches wide. The pair linked up again and from Veretout's ball, Bessat fired from the edge of the area with Agassa blocking the ball. Reims finally had an attack of note on the stroke of half-time. Anthony Weber found Aissa Mandi near the penalty area only for his shot be deflected away by goalkeeper Riou. Again it was Nantes who were superior after the break and they came within inches of breaking the deadlock midway through the second half when Filip Djordjevic headed Gabriel Cichero's cross on to the post. Bessat then put the keeper under pressure when his 30-yard free-kick forced Riou to punch clear. That was the end of Nantes as an attacking force with Reims then coming closest, Antoine Devaux's 20-yard shot going inches wide. The draw meant Reims fifth with seven points, two off leaders Marseille, while Nantes are 11th, three points behind today's opponents.