A week after the rather successful reception of the Parisian leader (0-0), OGC Nice (18th) travels to Dijon (16th) as part of the 24th day of Ligue 1. An equally important match against a direct competitor for staying in the league.
The “stay” operation continues for René Marsiglia’s players. The next step is tonight, at Stade Gaston-Gérard, to face the Burgundians of Dijon, 16th in the ranking with only three points more than the Niçois. A victory, the first away win of the season, it should be remembered, would allow the Aiglons to surpass their opponent of the day thanks to a goal difference largely in favor of Nice (-4 versus -16).
Score against the worst defense in the league!
While Nice still faces significant difficulties up front – the Azuréens have the second-worst attack in the league with 22 goals scored in 23 matches – the defensive sector is doing much better. The Aiglons have the ninth-best defense in the league, tied with Lille and ahead of major teams like Lyon and Bordeaux.
A detail that might make all the difference at the end of the championship as the battle to remain in the elite is tight. On the Dijon FCO side, Patrice Carteron’s team represents, along with Ajaccio, the worst defense in the league with 42 goals conceded in 23 matches, which is a ratio of over 1.8! The Aiglons will have to do everything to take advantage of this.
Return of Kafoumba Coulibaly and Elliot Grandin
René Marsiglia has selected a group of 18 players for the trip to Burgundy. Two players are returning to the professional group: Kafoumba Coulibaly, an unfortunate finalist of the CAN with Côte d’Ivoire, and Elliot Grandin returning from injury. Nemanja Pejcinovic and David Hellebuyck are still in recovery but should be available for the next match.
The Nice squad:
Goalkeepers: Fernandez, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Clerc, Gomis, Monzon
Midfielders: Abriel, Anin, Coulibaly, Digard, Meriem, Palun, Sablé
Forwards: Dja Djedje, Grandin, Guie Guie, Mouloungui, Mounier
Absent
Diakité, Pejcinovic, Pentecôte (injured), Hellebuyck (recovery), Gonçalves, Malaga, Veronese (coach’s decision)
Kick-off tonight at 7 PM.
