For their last home game of the season, OGC Nice face RC Lens (9 PM). The players and staff have only one goal: to secure victory and ensure their safety. However, the team will have to try to overlook the incidents that occurred at the training center on Thursday.
After four matches without a win, a thrashing at Saint-Etienne (5-0), and a more than turbulent training session this week, the end of the season for the red and black resembles a long walk of pain. Yet, avoiding relegation is not mathematically assured. With two matches remaining, Nice holds a five-point lead (plus goal difference) over 18th-placed Evian TG. Just one point is needed, but it’s tough to secure.
And what about home performances? It’s often said that achieving safety is determined at home. But at the Allianz Riviera, the Niçois have not tasted success since January 23 (2-1 against OM), which has been 15 weeks—an eternity. This last match of the season is thus the final chance to “redeem” themselves and, above all, to hold their heads high. After last week’s no-match turned humiliation by the Greens, Claude Puel’s men have no choice left; winning is crucial.
“Last week, the attitude speaks for itself, we weren’t in it. This match against Lens needs to be won, and in the best way possible,” said Nampalys Mendy during a press conference.
And when nothing goes right, bad news piles up. Injured last Sunday in the first half, Romain Genevois suffers from a tibia fracture, and is obviously out for the rest of the season. His natural replacement, Kevin Gomis, will also not be on the match sheet due to a strain. Next to Mathieu Bodmer, there’s uncertainty: Didier Digard or Olivier Boscagli? Offensively, it’s also problematic. With just two goals in the last three matches, Nice is struggling. The Plea-Bautheac-Carlos Eduardo trio is fighting for an insufficient result.
In the opposing camp, Lens has nothing to play for anymore, and it’s been that way for a while. At the bottom of the table, the Artesian club, already relegated, faces major financial difficulties. Their stay in Ligue 2 next season is even in doubt. But Antoine Kombouaré’s men are not giving up. They proved it last week against Montpellier. Despite a 1-0 defeat at the very end of the match, they showed pride, and they will continue to do so until the 93rd minute of the 38th matchday.
“Lens is a team that will play its game, they want to showcase for the future of the club. There is a lot of tension around the club, but we need to stay focused on the last two games,” explained Claude Puel.
Everyone says, “Looking forward to the end of the season, looking forward to officially securing safety.” For that, they’ll need to get a point, even if a win is desired given the recent events. There’s nothing left to do but…
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