After last night’s results, it will be the first team in the relegation zone that the Eagles will challenge at the end of the afternoon at 5 p.m. at the Parc des Sports in Annecy, making the task more difficult for the Azuréens against the Haut-Savoyards, who want to keep believing until the end.
For Claude Puel’s men, only victory will be sweet just before settling in front of Lyon-PSG during which the Eagles will certainly turn, for the duration of the match, into fervent Parisian supporters. It is therefore a spot on the podium, tied with Lyon and before tonight’s match, that the Eagles will be aiming for against Pascal Dupraz’s men, who could, with a victory and thus 36 points on the board, give up their relegation spot to Nancy (17th with 35 points) defeated yesterday in Bordeaux (3-2).
One can thus understand that the Evian side will attempt everything in their capacity to swing the result in their favor and thus take a real breath of fresh air before hosting Valenciennes and, perhaps, playing their final match of the season at Bordeaux with peace of mind. On the road to salvation, it is the tough Nice squad that is promised to the Haut-Savoyards and it is a crucial match for both formations that have a common goal: to scrape up points and places in the standings.
Claude Puel, recently nominated for the UNFP awards in the coach of the year category, has prepared this first crucial appointment in the race for Europe as best as possible and we imagine that this goal is by itself already a motivation. The Azuréens’ coach will have to do without Pejcinovic following his exclusion at Rennes last weekend. For the rest, the team is at full strength. As for Evian, Pascal Dupraz will be able to count on the returns of Saber Khlifa and Mohammed Rabiu but will have to do without the services of Barbosa and Mongongu, both injured.
Response around 6:45 p.m. while waiting for Lyon-PSG at 9 p.m…. The Niçois will need to be punctual to dream of a European final next Saturday at Stade du Ray!
The OGC Nice squad
Goalkeepers: Delle, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Fofana, Genevois, Gomis, Kolodziejczak, G. Puel, Rougeaux
Midfielders: Abriel, Bruins, Diaz, Digard, Rafetraniaina
Forwards: Bahoken, Bauthéac, Bosetti, Cvitanich
Unavailable: Anin, Berthomier, Maupay, M’Bow, Meriem, Palun, Pentecôte, Pied, Traoré (injured), Eysseric, Pejcinovic (suspended), Dao Castellana, Hassen, Hennion (coach’s decision)
The Evian squad
Laquait, Durand – Cambon, Dja Djédjé, Wass, Betao, Angoula – Lacour, Rabiu, Mbarki, Ehret, Sorlin, Tié Bi – Ninkovic, Bérigaud, Nsikulu, Baouia, Sagbo, Khlifa.
Referees for Evian TG – Nice
The LFP has appointed the referees for the Evian TG – Nice match on Sunday, May 12 (36th day of Ligue 1). Ruddy Buquet will officiate with the whistle, assisted by Guillaume Debart and Djemel Zitouni. The fourth referee will be Abdelali Chaoui.
