Elie Baup has paid tribute to former club Nantes ahead of their clash with his Marseille team on Friday night in Ligue 1.

Les Canaris, whom Baup managed in an unsuccessful spell in 2008-09 that ended in relegation to Ligue 2, have impressed on their return to France's top flight, and can leapfrog Marseille into fourth with a victory at the Stade Velodrome.

"Just like their coach, they're very courageous, very combative," Baup told the media.

"They've kept going in the same vein as they had last season. They showed a lot of solidarity last season and worked well collectively, notably in winning the ball back. In Ligue 1, they've shown the same things with a lot of character."

Nantes are currently fifth, a point behind Marseille and nine adrift of the Champions League spots.