This Saturday evening, OGC Nice faces Toulouse FC, as part of the first day of Ligue 1 2025/26. After the disappointment against Benfica, the Eagles want to quickly bounce back with this first match of the championship.
Turn the page, get back up, and move on quickly! A few days after the disappointment against Benfica Lisbon (0-2, 0-2), OGC Nice now has its sights set on the start of Ligue 1. Having delivered a mediocre performance during this 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League, Franck Haise’s squad must quickly rebound, at the risk of falling into a mini-crisis early in the season. The national campaign thus begins this Saturday, at the Allianz Riviera, against Toulouse FC, for the Gym (kickoff at 9 PM).
For this match, the Nice coach can rely on the arrival of a new reinforcement, Salis Abdul Samed. Officially signed this Thursday, the midfielder is qualified for the match. His profile, being rather defensive, offers a new option to the Eagles’ coach for assembling his midfield. Especially since the two men were acquainted during their time at Lens. Franck Haise was even reportedly behind his arrival on the Côte d’Azur, while the Ghanaian was no longer in the plans of the northern club.
Boudaoui returns
For this first match of OGC Nice, in Ligue 1, this season, the Gym is still without several players from its roster. Ali Abdi, Dante, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Morgan Sanson, Moïse Bombito, and Mohamed-Ali Cho, who are injured, will not participate in this match.
As in the match against Benfica last Wednesday, Pablo Rosario will not be in the red and black squad. The midfielder is not injured but is expected to depart. No risks are to be taken regarding the player, thus avoiding any potential injuries. Finally, after being ill and withdrawn at the last minute in Portugal, Hichem Boudaoui will make his return. In a press conference, Franck Haise confirmed that the Algerian midfielder is fit to play in this match.
On the other side, things are not all clear for Toulouse FC. The Violets are coming off a difficult preparation period, marked by heavy defeats against Leipzig (0-7) and Stuttgart (0-6). The few summer recruits joined the group late. In short, the current conditions are not perfect for Carles Martinez Novell and the Tef.
Probable lineups:
Nice: Diouf – Mendy, Bah, Oppong – Clauss, Boudaoui, Louchet, Bard – Bouanani, Moffi, Jansson
Toulouse: Restes – McKenzie, Cresswell, Methalie – Kamanzi, Casseres, Canvot, Donnum – Edjouma, Magri, Gboho
