This Saturday, OGC Nice will travel to Lille’s pitch for the 30th day of Ligue 1. More than ever, the Niçois need to earn points and advance in their quest for survival. For this match, Claude Puel will notably be without Hicham Boudaoui and Morgan Sanson, who are suspended. All the information before this match can be discovered here.
A new puzzle presents itself to Claude Puel this weekend. On the eve of facing LOSC (kick-off this Saturday, at 9:05 PM, at Stade Pierre-Mauroy) in Ligue 1, the coach of OGC Nice is obliged to rebuild his midfield. Suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards in the league, Hicham Boudaoui and Morgan Sanson – promoted to captain since Puel‘s arrival in the absence of Dante – will not be part of the match in the north of France. “This leaves us with few options, yes. We tried different things this week,” mentions the coach of the Aiglons. Having returned to the starting lineup in recent weeks, Charles Vanhoutte should continue. Beside him, the solutions seem less clear. Tom Louchet is expected, the red and black Swiss Army knife has gained playtime since the return of the former Lyon coach on the Gym’s bench.
Returning from suspension, Youssouf Ndayishimiye prefers playing in a defender role. The case of Salis Abdul Samed resembles what could be described as a major flop. This could benefit the young Djibril Coulibaly, even though the midfielder has only five minutes of professional playtime in 2026. It’s not out of the question that Sofiane Diop might be repositioned in the heart of the game. Under Franck Haise, the Moroccan international had already played this position. Finally, Tanguy Ndombele is finally returning to the Nice group.
A squad missing several key players
“We won’t go there as victims, that’s for sure.” The ambitions of OGC Nice are clearly stated by Claude Puel. The Gym’s coach does not want to be a bystander against Lille and intends to build on what was encouraging last weekend against Le Havre (1-1). Trailing against the Normans – as often this season – the Aiglons did not falter to secure the draw. “I appreciated the reaction we had after conceding the goal. That’s what should drive us daily and in our matches. I was interested in what I saw, responsible players taking charge,” states Claude Puel at a press conference. A sentiment shared by Elye Wahi, who followed him at the press conference this Thursday. “After the goal, we reacted well. But we don’t want to be a team that only reacts, that’s what’s hurting us right now,” the Azurean striker tempers.
In addition to the absences of Sanson and Boudaoui, Claude Puel must deal with some notable injuries. “Dante will not be operational yet, Mohamed (Abdelmonem) and Youssouf either. Moïse (Bombito) is in the recovery phase. We will make a decision regarding Charles (Vanhoutte) tomorrow,” the OGC Nice coach briefly states about the squad situation for this trip north. With his key players absent, the Nice coach will have to find a new captain. The lucky candidate has not yet been chosen and will be announced in the coming hours.
On the opposite side, LOSC is in 3rd place in Ligue 1, 25 points ahead of Nice. The Dogues are competing for a final spot on the podium and will not ease up before this match. “They are an opponent looking to qualify for the Champions League. They regained confidence after their European campaign, which didn’t end well. They are in a good moment,” analyzes Puel. The last league defeat for Bruno Genesio’s players dates back to early February. A serious challenge awaits the Aiglons, even if it’s not impossible. In the first leg, the Niçois surprised Lille (2-0) at the Allianz Riviera.
Probable line-ups
OGC Nice: Diouf – Clauss (C), Mendy, Oppong, Bard, Abdi – Louchet, Vanhoutte (or Abdul Samed), Diop – Cho, Wahi
LOSC: Özer – Meunier, Mbemba, Mandi, Perraud – André (C), Bentaleb – Mukau, Haraldsson, Correia – Fernandez-Pardo.
