The Eaglets travel to the North for a tough match against a team that is nevertheless struggling. But Nice is not having an ideal start to the season either.
Since the dismissal of Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa (following the defeat against Amiens on November 20th), the Mastiffs have been managed by four members of a “provisional” staff. Among them is Fernando Da Cruz, who appeared at a press conference before the Wednesday duel. “We will play the game with current strengths, but we are not going to disregard the Coupe de la Ligue,” he notably stated, in comments reported by the official LOSC website. Before giving his opinion on the red and black opponent. “At one point, the Nice team was not well positioned, but it wasn’t that they were bad in the game, on the contrary. I find they’ve always had that quality of play. However, they were a bit less effective so far. This effectiveness, they have been regaining over the past 3 games. The team likes possession, is well balanced, and is now positioned in a ranking that is more in line with the group’s level.”
After 17 rounds of L1, the Northerners currently occupy the 18th position in the standings with 18 points. Since November, they have turned things around, as they have achieved 4 wins (against Metz, Saint-Etienne, Lyon, and Toulouse) and suffered 3 defeats (against Amiens, Montpellier, and Paris).
Not being in Europe this season, LOSC already has a round of the Coupe de la Ligue under their belt. In the round of 64, they defeated Valenciennes on penalties (2-2, 5-4 on penalties). It should be noted that goalkeeper Mike Maignan is a specialist in the exercise, having saved 3 out of 8 penalties in L1 (a 4th hit the post).
THE LILLE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Maignan, Koffi
Defenders: Malcuit, Alonso, Iรฉ, Ballo-Tourรฉ, Dabila, Mendyl
Midfielders: Maia, Mendes, Soumarรฉ, Bahlouli, Bissouma, Benzia
Forwards: Ponce, Pรฉpรฉ, Araujo, Faraj, El Ghazi
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez
Defenders: Souquet, Marlon, Burner, Le Marchand, Sarr, Dante
Midfielders: Tameze, Seri, Lees-Melou, Mendy, Cyprien, Koziello, Makengo
Forwards: Balotelli, Srarfi, Plรฉa
