The Gym hosts Saint-Étienne tomorrow at 5 PM at the Allianz Riviera. After a 10-day rest, the eaglets have the chance to move up to fifth place and end the calendar year on a high note.
Unbeaten for 7 matches, OGC Nice hosts ASSE for the 18th day of Ligue 1. Originally scheduled for last night (8:45 PM), the match was postponed and moved to tomorrow at 5 PM. “This disrupts us a little, but not too much. The coach anticipated the situation on Monday by presenting us with three different programs. Either the match was maintained, moved, or completely postponed. So we have worked well to be ready,” said midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou. It must be said that the Gym players haven’t played since the draw (0-0) against Angers on December 4th. Indeed, the Monaco-Nice derby, initially scheduled for last Friday, has also been postponed (January 16, 2019) due to the yellow vests. It’s been more than 10 days since Patrick Vieira’s players have been waiting eagerly.
Already missing Jean-Victor Makengo, Christophe Jallet, and Myziane notably, the Nice coach recorded a new absence this Saturday. Hit in the knee during the final training session, Mario Balotelli will indeed be unable to take part in this duel against the Greens.
Returning from injury, Racine Coly rejoins the group, while young Hicham Mahou (19 years old) is among the 19 players called up.
Saint-Étienne weakened but dangerous
The Stéphanois, 6th in the standings, arrive at the Allianz Riviera with the idea of creating some distance with the Gym, 7th. However, the Greens are struggling away from home: 3 defeats in the last 4 away games. “It’s a great fixture with a great team. We expect a tough match against a well-organized team. They have strong points,” highlights the Aiglons’ coach, Patrick Vieira. On the visitors’ side, several players will miss the match. And not just any players. Subotic, Debuchy, Hamouma, and especially Wahbi Khazri, the club’s top scorer with 8 goals. “Even with absentees, they are dangerous. We are focusing on ourselves. We have the opportunity to latch onto the top group and extend our unbeaten streak.” reveals coach Vieira. The Gym remains unbeaten in 6 Ligue 1 matches: 4 wins and 2 draws. However, the teammates of Mario Balotelli have not found the back of the net for 2 matches (0-0 against Angers and Guingamp).
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Clémentia
Defenders: Boscagli, Sarr, Dante, Burner, Hérelle, Atal, Coly
Midfielders: Lees-Melou, Walter, Cyprien, Tameze, Danilo
Forwards: Srarfi, Saint-Maximin, Ganago, Sacko, Mahou.
THE REFEREE
The match will be refereed by Thomas Leonard. He will be assisted by Gilles Lang and Frédéric Hebrard.
by Pierre Ferrand
