After the disappointment in the championship, it’s time for the Coupe de France to brighten a dreary season. OGC Nice hosts AS Monaco in the eighth-finals in a derby with various stakes. Humiliated by the thrashing in the first leg of the championship (3-0), the Eagles want, and can, turn things around tonight.
Criticized for their complacency and inconsistency, the Niçois have the chance to win back their fans. The players’ attitude will be scrutinized by everyone after the league debacle. In the first leg, the Monégasques faced no opposition. Claudio Ranieri’s men even allowed themselves some taunting to the delight of the 1,000 visiting supporters.
Between this match and the Coupe de France clash, little has changed for the two teams. Monaco is in cruise control, showing impressive maturity in their game. Buoyed by a draw against the Parisian giant, ASM is full of confidence. The only changes are on the offensive front. Valère Germain, barely used at the beginning of the season, has stepped up to become a starter. Dimitar Berbatov arrived during the winter transfer to numerically replace Falcao. New assets for an already well-equipped team. This evening Claudio Ranieri is expected to make use of his deep squad. With 30 players called up for this match, the Italian coach intends to give a chance to those rarely used in the league. A necessary strategy before facing Bastia 3 days later on the Isle of Beauty.
On OGC Nice’s side, nothing has changed either. The club is stuck in mid-table, due to catastrophic results away from home. The Gym’s advantage is undoubtedly its stadium. At home, Nice has conceded only three defeats with eight wins and a draw. Encouraging for the supporters, indeed. However, less encouraging is the slew of absences that have affected the Nice squad since the start of the season. Once again tonight Didier Digard and Nemanja Pejcinovic will be absent. Two key players in the azure setup.
However, Alexy Bosetti returns after his suspension. A pairing with Neal Maupay at the forefront of the attack might be attempted, once more, after its success in Marseille. The answer comes tonight at 8:50 PM in a feverish Allianz Riviera.
