OGC Nice is playing for high stakes and won’t have it easy against MHSC. There are several objectives. Survive Pléa’s absence, manage the Balotelli situation, find a new striker within the squad. They all converge towards one point, keeping pace with Paris and Monaco. Nice and Montpellier are on a similar trajectory. Over the last five games, Nice, currently 3rd in Ligue 1, has only scored one more point than Montpellier, currently 11th. Both teams lost to Monaco and also won against St-Etienne.
The absentees
In Nice, the absentees are known and weigh heavily on morale. Balotelli, who was expelled, seems to be plagued by his old demons, Pléa is out until the end of the season, and Ricardo has a knee injury. These are three players from the starting 11 often considered Lucien Favre’s dream team. The Swiss coach will have to work with a lineup of backup players to make the difference. Bosetti, Le Bihan, Donis, and why not Srarfi, the new midfielder with a rather offensive role.
Among “Loulou” Nicollin’s men, Ninga and Marveaux have been injured for a few matches, which is also the case for Ikone, who has an ankle injury for the past two games.
The Nice squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez.
Defenders: Souquet, Baysse, Burner, Le Marchand, Dalbert, Dante.
Midfielders: Belhanda, Seri, Eysseric, Walter, Obbadi, Cyprien, Koziello.
Forwards: Le Bihan, Srarfi, Donis.
The Montpellier squad
Goalkeepers: Pionnier, Jourdren.
Defenders: Congré, Hilton, Pokorny, Mukiele, Roussillon, Deplagne, Mongongu.
Midfielders: Passi, Sylla, Lasne, Boudebouz, Shkiri, Sessegnon.
Forwards: Mounié, Mbenza, Camara, Dolly.
