It’s a new final that Eric Roy’s protégés are about to play against the bottom of the league, already relegated to league 2 for a few days, but who have not laid down their arms, judging by their last two good performances away at Nancy and Bordeaux. No room for error for the aiglons, who already know that the first relegation-placed Nancy took an unexpected point last night at the Parc des Princes against a PSG reduced to 10 men.
So, it’s a crucial match, even if not decisive, awaiting the Nice team, who prefer to remember their last performance at Brest rather than dwell on the defeats at Lille, Marseille, and Caen.
If this Nice-Arles Avignon match is important, it is so for several reasons. First, because with only one point ahead of the first relegation-placed Nancy, the Nice team would increase their lead to 4 points in case of a win. Secondly, a victory would allow them to travel to Nancy next weekend with a lighter mind, as even a defeat in Lorraine would not open the doors of the relegation zone for the Nice team.
Finally, and simply for morale, it would be regrettable to stumble against a valiant Arles-Avignon team that is already eyeing the calendar for their next summer vacation; as well as missing the chance to benefit from the matches of Caen and Monaco away at Rennes and Sochaux, both still vying for a European spot.
All the ingredients are therefore in place for a successful evening on Ray Hill, where everyone hopes for a good crowd turnout because while it’s important to be there for good moments like a cup semi-final, it’s equally important to be there for the bad ones, such as in this decisive match. The club has done its part by offering tickets ranging from €6 to €25.
Join us tonight at 9 pm to count the points and see how the rest of the events will unfold…
The Nice group:
Goalkeepers: Letizi, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Clerc, Coulibaly, Gace, Mabiala, Paisley, Pejcinovic
Midfielders: Ben Saada, Diakité, Digard, Hellebuyck, Palun
Forwards: Bamogo, Ljuboja, Mouloungui, Quansah
Match referees
Referee: Antony GAUTIER
Assistants: Michael ANNONIER and Nicolas POTTIER
4th referee: Guillaume JANIN
