It’s a complicated match awaiting Claude Puel’s men in Brittany. Sure, Brest has lost its last three home games against Saint-Etienne (0-1), PSG (0-3), Montpellier, and Marseille with the same score (1-2), but the Brest team is only four points away from the red zone and wants to win at home again.
With Digard injured and Civelli suspended, the task will be a bit tougher, but the coach from the Côte d’Azur can count on the Dutchman Luigi Bruins, who will be featured on the team’s sheet for the first time. The elimination in the Coupe de France against Nancy and the defeat in the championship against Bordeaux at the Ray Stadium are now behind them. It’s forward where they will certainly need to find solutions, especially after the defeat against a lackluster Bordeaux side that only had one opportunity to score the only goal of the evening. Therefore, Cvitancih needs to regain form and ideally find the back of the net, which needs to tremble to remain near the top of the standings.
Sure, a defeat in Brittany wouldn’t be a catastrophe for the red and black but, while they are still far from collapsing, a third consecutive defeat could shake the clubhouse and the confidence that prevailed after the beautiful Nice series. The stakes must be fully played on the field of Francis-Le-Blé, who will expect nothing less than a victory from their team.
With Pentecôte returning and the arrival of Bruins, everything is within reach for the eaglets who must mostly avoid any regrets at the end of the match to best prepare for the visit of Lorient next Saturday at Ray, followed by the perilous trip to Bastia the following weekend.
Referees of Brest – Nice
The LFP has appointed the referees for the Brest – Nice match on Saturday, February 2nd (23rd day of Ligue 1). Stéphane Lannoy will officiate with the whistle, assisted by Frédéric Cano and Eric Dansault. The fourth referee will be Jérôme Brisard.
The Nice squad
Claude Puel has selected a squad of 18 players for the trip to Brest. Digard is absent due to injury, and Civelli is suspended. The Dutchman Luigi Bruins will make his debut.
Goalkeepers: Delle, Ospina
Defenders: Genevois, Gomis, Kolodziejczak, Palun, Pejcinovic
Midfielders: Abriel, Anin, Bruins, Dao Castellana, Eysseric, Meriem, Pied
Forwards: Bauthéac, Bosetti, Cvitanich, Pentecôte
Absentees: Digard, Fofana, Hennion, M’Bow (injured), Civelli (suspended), Maupay, Traoré (selection), Bahoken (returning), Berthomier, Diaz (coach’s decision)
The Brest squad against Nice
Landry Chauvin has announced a squad of 18 players for hosting the Gym on Saturday (8 PM) at Francis-Le Blé. Eden Ben Basat was transferred to Toulouse during the week. His replacement, Magaye Gueye, is not yet qualified. Baysse, Culma, and Lesoimier are in the infirmary.
The squad: Thébaux, Hartock – Mendy, Lejeune, Ferradj, Kantari, Martial, Makonda – Grougi, Dernis, Chafni, Auras, Sissoko, Soumah, Licka – Benschop, Raspentino, Touré
