A deserved result against a Paris Saint Germain team that would have hoped for better to reassure its management and fans, but an outcome that could have just as easily turned in favor of the Aiglons if the Nice attack, and particularly Moussilou, had shown a tad more realism approaching goals guarded by an impeccable Landreau.
While waiting for Lens, Gym now knows its opponent for the 32nd finals of the Coupe de France, and again the task will be difficult with a perilous trip to Créteil led by a certain Artur Jorge. Admittedly, the ranking of the Cristoliens is not very brilliant with an inglorious fifteenth place in Ligue 2, but the cup being what it is, Antonetti’s protégés have everything to fear from this encounter.
On the medical front, Pancho Abardonado will miss the match against Lens due to a muscle injury that requires the valiant defender to take a few days of rest to return in full form for the new year. Another notable absentee against the northerners, Cyril Rool will have to serve his suspension match following the three warnings received during the last 10 days. These absences add to the injuries of Balmont and Diakité, which may cause many concerns for the island coach in forming his starting eleven as well as his bench of substitutes.
A difficult end of the year, therefore, for the Nice team, which is obliged to achieve a good result against the Lens team, who will be keen to keep their second place in the standings, coveted by St Etienne and Lille, respectively 1 and 2 points behind Gervais Martel’s men.
The objective is three points to approach the first games of 2007 with regained serenity. Because the return matches will begin with a challenging entry with a trip to a Nantes team not better off in the standings (13/01/07), hosting Toulouse who are in an honorable eleventh place (24/01/07), a high-risk trip to the Lyonnais giant (27/01/07), and the visit of the ever-dangerous Bordeaux team on the road.
Therefore, we can only hope that Santa Claus will be dressed in red, but also in black, next Saturday and that his sack will be filled with the three points, thus allowing the Aiglons to enjoy the end-of-year festivities a bit more relieved.
