Without flavor and without real sporting stakes, this afternoon the Mediterranean derby between AS Monaco and OGC Nice takes place. A match that finds its interest through the eyes of the supporters. On the sporting side, Monaco is almost assured of finishing second, while Nice is stagnating in the middle of the table.
Having suffered a tough home defeat to Lorient, the Eaglets want to bounce back to finish the season well. A derby is above all a moment to kill two birds with one stone: secure a prestigious victory and save the appearances of a disappointing season.
The Nice fans are eagerly awaiting this match. Defeated twice in two encounters by AS Monaco this season, Nice has a new chance to reverse the trend. In front of a stadium devoted to Nice’s cause, Claude Puel’s men will be closely watched for their attitude and especially their mindset on the field.
Seen as a clash of cultures, this derby opposes two clubs with very different financial resources. This financial and sporting gap between the two structures has widened over the years. And despite the positive impact of the new stadium, OGC Nice is far from entering a new era like the club from the rock. This season, more than ever, the gap has widened with Rybolovlev at the helm of the club. The Russian billionaire is probably unfamiliar with the concept of rivalry with OGC Nice, but he demands a minimum result in order to access Europe. Nice has been warned.
Moreover, a controversy looms, just hours before the start of hostilities. Some criticize Claude Puel for including his two sons in his squad at the expense of other players. Grégoire Puel has been playing as a right-back in the professional team for some time, but less well known is his other son, Paulin, a starter in the U17, who is thrust directly into the limelight for his first presence in Ligue 1. It is up to the two of them to silence the critics and prove they deserve to be lined up with the professionals.
This kind of match suits young players regularly integrated into teams running on autopilot at the end of the season. Without pressure or consequence, this meeting is placed under the sign of redemption. Only the satisfaction of the supporters should matter at the final whistle.
Photo credit and more info at www.ogcnice.com
