After another setback in the Europa League, OGC Nice is traveling to Monaco this Sunday for the 131st azure derby. With significant absences, tactical choices, and an ultras boycott, the Gym approaches this meeting in a tense atmosphere.
On Sunday at 5:15 PM, the Stade Louis-II will host the 131st derby between the two neighbors. For OGC Nice, this is a turning point. A victory could stop a negative streak and reignite their season. In the event of another defeat, the crisis would deepen even further.
OGC Nice is going through a difficult period. On Thursday night, the Gym lost in Istanbul against Fenerbahçe (1-2). This was their second consecutive defeat in the Europa League after the one against AS Roma. In Ligue 1, their record isn’t much better. The Gym is currently in 12th place with only seven points. Across all competitions, Nice has lost seven out of ten matches. The derby against AS Monaco comes at a time of negative momentum.
Franck Haise has yet to find the right formula. Against Fenerbahçe, he opted for an experimental 4-3-3 formation. This setup didn’t provide the expected assurances. For the trip to Louis-II, the coach is considering a return to a five-man defense. This choice aligns more with his habits when he coached RC Lens.
The absences might influence him to make this tactical shift. The captain Dante remains uncertain although he is expected to be part of the squad for this match. At 41, the Brazilian defender is suffering from knee issues, which prevented him from participating in the match in Turkey on Thursday. Hicham Boudaoui is also affected, suffering from an iliac crest injury. His return seems unlikely. Missing two key players, Franck Haise must reconstruct a fragile back line.
On the other hand, AS Monaco presents only a slightly more reassuring image. The club is in 4th place in Ligue 1 with 12 points, but their start to the season is far from perfect. The only positive point is that the Principality’s players have achieved interesting results at home since the beginning of the season (three wins and one draw in all competitions). Even better, Monaco hasn’t lost at Louis-II for 11 championship matches (ten wins and one draw). Only Marseille has done better in 2025.
The Monégasques, however, are coming off a defeat in Lorient (3-1). Before that, they managed a draw against Manchester City (2-2) in the Champions League. This contrast illustrates a team capable of upping their game on big occasions. Against Nice, the stakes are dual: remain undefeated at home and further sink a struggling rival.
Boycott and tensions off the field
Pre-match issues aren’t limited to sports difficulties. The relationships between supporters and institutions also play a role. One of the Gym’s ultra groups, Populaire Sud Nice, announced they would boycott the trip to Monaco. In a statement published earlier in the week, its members denounced repeated restrictions and what is seen as unjustified exclusion.
This absence will be felt in a match where the atmosphere often plays a role. The ultras had already voiced their dissatisfaction in recent weeks. Their decision further isolates a team in search of support. Meanwhile, the prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes has banned the presence of Nice supporters in part of Cap-d’Ail to prevent any incidents around the Principality.
The keys to the match
Statistics highlight the clash of styles between the two teams. OGC Nice is one of the teams most prone to direct attacks in Ligue 1 (13). Only Marseille and Lens do better. Monaco, by contrast, has only executed four, one of the lowest totals. The duel could pit quick transitions against control in build-up play.
Monaco’s solidity at Louis-II will also be a decisive factor. Unbeaten at home since late 2023, the Monégasques make their stadium an asset. The Gym, on the other hand, has lost all their away games this season. The derby constitutes their shortest trip but not necessarily the easiest.
Finally, Terem Moffi embodies the attacking hope for the Gym. The Nigerian forward particularly enjoys facing Monaco. He has already scored seven times against ASM, his best total in Ligue 1. Away, he has netted five goals in his last five starts. His ability to impact major events will be expected.
Probable line-ups:
AS Monaco: Philipp Kohn (G), Krepin Diatta, Eric Dier, Mohammed Salisu, Caio Henrique, Maghnes Akliouche, Jordan Teze, Mamadou Coulibaly, Takumi Minamino, Ansu Fati, Florian Balogun
OGC Nice: Yehvann Diouf (G), Kojo Peprah, Antoine Mendy, Moise Bombito, Jonathan Clauss, Melvin Bard (C), Charles Vanhoutte, Morgan Sanson, Sofiane Diop, Jeremie Boga, Terem Moffi.
