Fifteenth in the Ligue 1 standings at the end of the first half of the season, OGC Nice is nevertheless the fourth-best defense in the championship. The Eaglets play attractive football but lack effectiveness in front of the goal. In short, the beginning of the season for the Nice club is peppered with contradictions.
If we take an accounting assessment of this first half of the season for OGC Nice, whose objective remains more than ever to stay up, there is really nothing to be satisfied about: fifteenth in the Ligue 1 table, only five points away from the relegation zone, 19th and the second-to-last attack in the championship (14 goals). This observation is also reflected in the stands’ attendance: a 25% drop in season tickets compared to last season.
A failing attack?
However, the Niรงois play rather entertaining football. “We have managed to stabilize our defense. In previous seasons, we conceded way too many goals. Currently, we have the fourth-best defense in Ligue 1,” argues Nice’s coach Eric Roy.
So, what the Red and Blacks might be missing is a strong attack. “It’s true that we have lost a lot of effectiveness with the departure of a player like Loรฏc Rรฉmy,” he concedes, “but if we look closer, Anthony Mounier is probably having the best season of his young career. He is second in assists. Danijel Ljuboja has adapted well to the team and has scored three goals. As for Eric Mouloungui, he has never played as much as he has since the start of the season,” he adds.
“We’re just on track…”
But what is OGC Nice suffering from to be so low in the standings? The diagnosis is simple: effectiveness and finishing are lacking. The Eaglets need a real striker, someone who can turn all these opportunities into goals. This is why David Bellion was recruited during this winter transfer window. The loan of Mickaรซl Potรฉ to Le Mans greatly helped in finalizing Bellion’s arrival for the next six months. “We’re just on track with what the DNCG requires of us. Each arrival must be compensated with a departure,” explains the general manager Patrick Governatori.
Reasons to still believe
In short, it promises, once again, to be a difficult end of the season for the Niรงois. However, there are reasons to hope. Even though they have drawn many matches against teams at the bottom of the table, they sometimes achieve good results, especially at home, against top teams (as demonstrated by the victory against Marseille, 1-0). And while the Gym is only five points away from the relegation zone, they are also only nine away from the Lille leader, as the championship is tight.
And who is OGC Nice’s next opponent? Precisely, Lille OSC with Eden Hazard and Gervinho on Saturday night at the Stade du Ray. How strange (or fortunately) things turn out sometimes…
