By hosting Bordeaux on Sunday at 5 PM at Stade du Ray, Claude Puel’s protégés must secure all three victory points if they want to keep their opponents at bay and also stay on the heels of Rennes and Marseille, who are facing off this Saturday in Brittany.
While last year at this time, the eagles had become accustomed to not losing to move away from the relegation zone, this year, winning is a must to remain in the top part of the league where the Niçois have settled. Ranked 4th with 35 points, it has been years since the supporters enjoyed such a favorable position, and there’s no doubt the Ray will be packed on Sunday for a match that will weigh heavily in points for both teams.
Admittedly, the elimination from the Coupe de France against Nancy left a bitter taste, but it’s looking forward that the eagles must focus on now, realizing at last that appetite comes with eating. On the Bordeaux side, qualification in the Coupe de France was achieved with difficulty against a CFA team, Moulins (1-2), and their last home performance against Paris Saint Germain resulted in a defeat (0-1) just after a magnificent feat in Rennes (0-2). Francis Gillot’s men certainly won’t come for a Sunday stroll on the Côte d’Azur, hoping to emulate Ajaccio, the only team to secure three points at the Ray, in order to avenge the first-leg match where Traore had snatched a draw with a lob as perfect as it was clever. Without their top scorer, Yoan Gouffran, who left for Newcastle, the task will not be easy for Francis Gillot’s team who will have to rely on a former eagle, David Bellion, to find the back of the Azurian net.
Discover the team lineup on www.ogcnice.com
Referees for Nice – Bordeaux
The LFP has appointed the referees for the Nice – Bordeaux match on Sunday, January 27th (22nd day of Ligue 1). Laurent Duhamel will officiate with the whistle, assisted by Fredji Harchay and Philippe Tugdual. The fourth referee will be Olivier Husset.
The City and the Gym support Pièces Jaunes
For many seasons now, OGC Nice has shown its support for the Pièces Jaunes Foundation, which improves the conditions of hospitalized children and adolescents throughout France. While many actions are taking place across the country at the start of this year, the ticket prices for the Nice-Bordeaux match have been increased by 50 cents, directly donated to the cause championed by Bernadette Chirac. On February 9th, a grand Pièces Jaunes benefit event will be held in Nice, sponsored by the Olympic swimming champion Clément Lefert. He will also kick off this Sunday’s match. Piggy banks in the foundation’s colors are currently available at various locations throughout the stadium.
Dario Cvitanich (again) rewarded
The Argentine striker of the Gym will receive another trophy after the warm-up. Crowned Eagle of November and December, Super Dario will this time receive the Ligue 1 Player of the Month statuette for December. With 46% of the votes, he came ahead of Thiago Silva (38%) and Julien Féret (16%).
