Traveling to Metz to play the eighth day of Ligue 1, the Aiglons hope to return to victory after a draw at home against Brest last Sunday.
Without European competition this season, Nice can calmly focus all its attention on the championship. And so far, it’s very solid. Undefeated, boasting the best defense in Ligue 1, and having defeated both PSG and the league’s leader, Monaco (14 points), Francesco Farioli’s men are not here just to make up the numbers. Currently fourth in the standings, the Aiglons (13 points) could well aim for a provisional first place at the end of this eighth matchday.
On the other side, Metz is slowly starting to falter. A satisfactory start to the season, certainly, but especially two consecutive defeats (against Strasbourg and Toulouse) which aren’t beneficial for the Grenats. It’s an opportunity for Nice to return to winning ways after a tough match against Brest last Sunday, marking the ten-year anniversary of the Allianz Riviera. The squad:
A prefectoral order for crowd control surrounding the match
The Prefect of Moselle recently announced: “On Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, it is forbidden for anyone identifying as an OGC Nice supporter or acting as such to access Stade Saint Symphorien and to move or park on public roads within the defined perimeter; the territory of the municipality of Metz. The only exception to this ban concerns the 400 supporters with nominative vouchers issued through the OGC Nice club, who will attend the match exclusively by bus, meeting at 3:15 pm on the Bois de Jurée highway rest area on the A31 at Lémesnils.”
Probable line-ups
Metz: Oukidja – Kouao, Hérelle, Cande, Udol – Maïga, Jean-Jacques – Asoro, Atta, Sabaly – Elisor
Nice: Bulka – Atal, Todibo, Dante, Bard – Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Thuram – Laborde, Moffi, Boga
Notably absent is Sofiane Diop, who is sidelined with a thigh injury and will not be part of the squad. “It will take a little longer than expected,” said the Nice coach about his number 10.
The match will be broadcast live this Saturday from 5:00 pm at the Saint-Symphorien stadium in Metz.
