After suffering their first defeat of the season in Caen, Nice needs to bounce back on the pitch at Saint-Etienne (8:45 PM) to defend their position as leaders.
Similar to his team, Nice coach Lucien Favre took advantage of the international break to recharge: “I went back to Switzerland for one and three-quarters of a day. It’s important to take a break, even if it’s difficult for a coach. The players also took advantage of this necessary rest.” A well-timed breather following the defeat at Caen, which the coach plans to use to work with his squad. “We were able to train with 15-16 players. We had proper sessions this week. During the upcoming series, with 10 matches in 31 days, we won’t be able to train normally: it will be maintenance, small games, and set pieces but nothing more.”
The defeat against Caen has probably brought the Nice team back down to earth. Although maintaining the leader position won’t be easy, Nice won’t give up the fight, especially since PSG and Monaco won earlier and drew level. The trip to Saint-Etienne is therefore very significant.
The opponent
During this summer, ASSE recruited Bryan Dabo, Léo Lacroix, Jordan Veretout, Henri Saivet, and Cheikh M’Bengue.
As for departures, Neal Maupay, Franck Tabanou, Valentin Eysseric, Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, François Clerc, Jonathan Brison, and Ismaël Diomandé have left the club.
With a record of 4 wins, 6 draws, and two losses, ASSE has had a good start to the season. After 12 rounds, they sit in ninth place in the standings with 18 points.
The absentees
On the Saint-Etienne side, attackers Robert Beric and Romain Hamouma, midfielder Fabien Lemoine, as well as young defender Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel are absent. To these physical absences, we must add the Moroccan winger Oussama Tannane, who is suspended.
As for Nice, the prolonged absences of Maxime Le Marchand, Mickaël Le Bihan, and Gautier Lloris (injured) are still being lamented. Paul Baysse, also injured, is still absent. Mario Balotelli is suspended.
The Saint-Etienne squad
Goalkeepers: 16.Stéphane RUFFIER; 30.Jessy MOULIN
Defenders: 2.Kévin THEOPHILE-CATHERINE; 3.Pierre-Yves POLOMAT; 4.Léo LACROIX; 12.Cheikh MBENGUE; 19.Florentin POGBA; 24.Loïc PERRIN; 25.Kévin MALCUIT
Midfielders: 5.Vincent PAJOT; 7.Bryan DABO; 11.Henri SAIVET; 14.Jordan VERETOUT; 17.Ole SELNAES
Forwards: 9.Nolan ROUX; 22.Kévin MONNET-PAQUET; 23.Alexander SODERLUND; Arnaud NORDIN
The Nice squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez
Defenders: Souquet, Sarr, Dante, Dalbert, Boscagli, Ricardo
Midfielders: Seri, Walter, Bodmer, Cyprien, Koziello, Belhanda, Eysseric, Marcel
Forwards: Donis, Pléa
The referee
The referee for the match will be Franck Schneider, who will be accompanied on the whistle by Djamel Zitouni and Nicolas Henninot.
