Still seeking their first success of the season, OGC Nice travel to Auxerre this Saturday (20:45), for the fourth day of Ligue 1. A particular return to this venue, four months after the defeat that pushed the Eagles further towards the playoffs.
No absences to report according to Olivier Pantaloni, but very disparate levels of fitness within the squad: “For those who joined us most recently, it’s a bit more complicated.” Yesterday’s session was light to allow bodies to recover. Hicham Boudaoui should moreover make his return to the squad after the international break. He is already considered an “additional asset” by his coach.
On the defensive front, the situation remains tense after the serious injuries to Moïse Bombito and Antoine Mendy, as well as the administrative blockage that continues to delay the arrival of young Abdelhak Ben Idder. “We were quite comfortable, we even accepted Oppong’s departure because we had numbers. Losing two players back to back puts us in a tight spot at this position“, worries Olivier Pantaloni.
Regarding Youssouf Ndayishimiye, who has delivered complicated performances since the start of the season, the coach remains patient, but demanding: “A year without playing, it’s not easy. There is still work to be done regarding our principles, his positioning and his movements.” The Nice club is now studying the possibility of a wildcard to compensate for these deficits. A wildcard that was originally supposed to serve as backup to Elye Wahi. The name of Rennes defender Alidu Seidu keeps coming up insistently in recent hours.
Building from the back, an assumed philosophy
Yehvann Diouf, present at the press conference, reflects on his coach’s assumed desire to create play from his own area: “It’s something new for me. We all want to play short, to be clean, even if it’s tiring and requires a lot of technique and concentration.“
The Gym’s coach confirms this philosophy, while refusing to make it an absolute dogma: “I’m not a purist. If we sense the slightest danger, we must not hesitate to go long. But in my conception, it’s still about having control of the game.“
On a possible system change if results didn’t pick up, Olivier Pantaloni “rules nothing out.” He still has faith in his squad: “We have the capacity to put in place the game we want. It may take a little more time, but I remain with the idea that we can do much better.“
Auxerre, exorcise yesterday’s ghosts
Nice face an Auxerre team still without a single point, in a stadium where the Eagles had been defeated in a decisive match for survival last May. Pantaloni logically expects a tense match: “They find themselves in the same situation, with an obligation to win. It will be a fiercely contested match, we will need to have character, strong nerves, and not play with fear of losing. Victory would be a huge breath of fresh air.“
When asked about the symbolic significance of a victory at Auxerre, Yehvann Diouf sees it as a psychological lever: “I think we must not forget why we found ourselves in this situation. Certainly, winning there would help us a lot to move forward.“
The match will be refereed by François Letexier, this Saturday at 20:45 in the Abbé Deschamps stadium.
Probable lineups
AJ Auxerre: Diop – Sy, Diomandé, Makosso, Akpa – Ahamada, Piedfort, Danois (C) – Namaso, Archer, Labeau Lascary
OGC Nice: Diouf – Abdelmonem, Ndayishimiye, Mandza – Clauss (C), Witsel, Coulibaly, Nkounkou – Hein, Wahi, Amoura.
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