Patrik Carlgren is back at Beaujoire after a long break without an official match, and he does not intend to be satisfied with a simple return. During the press session following the 0-0 draw against Stade de Reims, the Swedish goalkeeper clearly expressed his ambitions for the season. He insisted on his desire to become a starter, to lead FCNantes towards Ligue1 and to transform each match into a final, in order to give his team the three points they deserve.
Carlgren's return took place in a mixed atmosphere. Although he kept a clean sheet, the goalkeeper stressed that the Canaries should have left with the three points, because, according to him, they created too many chances but were unable to finish. “It’s nice not to concede, but you have to score to win,” he said. This remark highlights the offensive difficulties that the club still has to overcome to convert its good defensive performances into victories.
Regarding the goalkeeper position, Carlgren clarified that he does not consider himself to be the definitive number one. "No one told me I was the number one goalkeeper. I'm here to compete, like all the other players," he said. He added that the final decision rests with the coach, Grégory Poirier, and that he is ready to give the best of himself in each training session. This attitude shows that he is aware of the internal competition, notably with Maxime Dupé, while remaining focused on his personal objective of playing 90 minutes every weekend.
Carlgren also addressed rumors of the club being sold, stating that he is not interested in them and would rather focus on the pitch. “It’s neither my job nor my decision. I prefer not to worry about things I can’t control,” he explained. This message reassures supporters who fear that financial uncertainties will affect team cohesion.
Before the Dunkirk reception, the goalkeeper recalled that each match must be treated like a Champions League final. "We are playing at home, we will fight for three points. It will be a very difficult match, like all the others," he said. This determination is part of a broader strategy: for Nantes to return to Ligue 1 next season. The club, which has had a difficult season in Ligue2, must now turn its good defensive performances into victories, and Carlgren is ready to play a key role in this quest.