This Wednesday, OGC Nice travels to Lorient for the French Cup quarter-finals. In the midst of a results crisis, the Gym is placing its last hopes of the season in this competition. All the pre-match information for this encounter can be found here.
Has OGC Nice been a victim of refereeing errors, in recent outings? That’s at least what the Nice management seems to think. In a statement – published on their social networks this Monday – the Gym denounces “comparable situations that led to radically opposite decisions” and calls for the need “to question the consistency of decisions observed in recent weeks, which have indeed all gone against them”. Notably, five contentious situations occurred during the Eagles’ recent outings. The most recent came from last weekend’s defeat, against Paris FC (0-1). During that match, Kevin Carlos thought he had won a penalty – before being cautioned for diving and having it cancelled by VAR – and a rough challenge on Kaïl Boudache also raised questions.
This refereeing chapter should also not hide Nice’s regular shortcomings in recent months. Because OGC Nice is not progressing, and almost missed their entire match this Sunday in Paris. The Eagles still suffer from the same deficiencies: glaring defensive nervousness, failing key players, individual errors directly punished by opponents. Against Paris FC, the only goal of the match came from a ball too easily released by Maxime Dupé, after a first Paris attempt.
The right to dream
Because displaying such a level won’t pass the test of clearing this new hurdle. Against Lorient (kick-off this Wednesday at 8:30pm, at the Stade du Moustoir), they will need to show more consistency and efficiency in both penalty areas. For now, Nice’s path has been fraught with obstacles, but Morgan Sanson’s teammates are still there. After Saint-Étienne and FC Nantes, OGC Nice managed to overturn Montpellier (3-2) in the previous round. Trailing on the scoreboard, the Nice players qualified on the match’s final action, thanks to a brilliant individual inspiration from Sofiane Diop.
Against the Merlus, Claude Puel remains without Moïse Bombito, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Isak Jansson, Elye Wahi, injured or returning to fitness. Meanwhile, Sofiane Diop is suspended following a accumulation of yellow cards. The Moroccan international at OGC Nice will not be able to take part in this Cup tie. Finally, Hicham Boudaoui and Ali Abdi remain uncertain. Both players were ruled out at the last minute last weekend against Paris FC.
Nice meets FC Lorient for the third time this season. The last encounter between the two clubs dates back barely ten days ago, an entertaining draw at the Allianz Riviera. Before that, the first leg was won by the Merlus (3-1), in November. The Bretons – having a very good season in Ligue 1 – should certainly not be underestimated before this Cup quarter-final. In the previous round, Olivier Pantaloni’s players eliminated Paris FC (2-0).
Probable lineups:
Lorient: Kamara – Adjei, Talbi, Meïté – Katseris, Abergel (C), Avom, Yongwa – Dermane, Dieng, Tosin
Nice: Diouf – Clauss, Oppong, Dante (C), Bard – Vanhoutte, Sanson, Bernardeau – Boudache, Cho, Gouveia.
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