Playing against the last-ranked team is never easy, especially when the clubs immediately ahead of them have both secured precious points by at least achieving a draw. For the Nice team, the objective is the same, but it’s also about taking advantage of Marseille’s misstep, which resulted in a draw at home against Ajaccio (0-0), and Lyon’s collapse in Corsica against Bastia (4-1).
A victory by Claude Puel’s protégés and the Eagles would see them draw level with the Marseilles, whom they will host next Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Stade du Ray. It’s a great opportunity, but one that must be grasped against an opponent who is three points behind Troyes (19th) and already seven behind Sochaux (18th). Certainly, the hope is slim for Sochaux to play in Ligue 1 next year, but the victory at Sochaux (1-2) and the well-fought match, even though lost, against Paris Saint Germain (2-1) have shown that Patrick Gabriel’s men have not given up and if there’s even a slim chance, they will play to the end. Still missing Cvitanich but with the return of Pied and Anin, it’s a confident OGC Nice that should play on this synthetic pitch, the use of which is still questioned in Ligue 1.
The recent confrontations are not particularly favorable to the Nice team, who have been defeated in the past three seasons at Marcel Picot (1-0, 3-0, and 2-0). One has to go back to the 2008/2009 season to find a victory for the Azureans (1-2) thanks to a superb lob by Hellebuyck and a high-class match by Opsina. The former has ended his career while the latter will still be there, guarding the Nice goals with an excellent season under the Colombian keeper’s belt.
On Nancy’s side, Romain Grange, who was injured in the last four matches due to a strain, re-enters the starting group. “He doesn’t have an hour and a half in his legs but can help us,” commented Patrick Gabriel, who knows that a defeat against Nice could well sound the death knell for all his hopes.
Join us around 4 p.m. to see if the Eagles have once again soared in the match and to know what taste the next derby against Marseille will have!
The Nice Group
Claude Puel has selected a group of 19 players for the trip to Nancy on Sunday (2 p.m.). Jérémy Pied returns from injury and Anin from suspension. Cvitanich, not fit enough, is not in the group.
Goalkeepers: Delle, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Genevois, Gomis, Kolodziejczak, Palun, Rougeaux
Midfielders: Abriel, Anin, Bruins, Diaz, Digard, Meriem, Pied
Forwards: Bahoken, Bauthéac, Bosetti, Maupay
Absent: Cvitanich, Dao Castellana, Hennion, M’Bow, Pejcinovic, Pentecôte, Traoré (injured), Eysseric (suspended), Fofana (returning), Berthomier (coach’s decision)
The Nancy Group
The Group: Gregorini, Nardi, Jebbour, Amadou, Puygrenier, Jeanvier, Sané, Ayasse, Loties, Mangani, Grange, Coulibaly, Karaboué, Bakar, Louis, Moukandjo, Alo’o, Zitte.
Suspended: none
Injured: Muratori, Hammar, Ndy Assembe, Joachim, Sami
Coach’s decision: Bassilekin, Dampha, Rachid
Referees for Nancy – Nice
The LFP has appointed the referees for the Nancy – Nice match on Sunday, March 17 (29th day of Ligue 1). Ruddy Buquet will be the main referee, assisted by Guillaume Debart and Frédéric Haquette. The fourth official will be Cédric Cotrel.
