Comfortably settled in 6th place in the Ligue 1 championship, with a 4-point lead over 7th place Lorient, OGC Nice can reasonably dream of European qualification. To achieve this, Claude Puel’s men must manage the last five matches of the season well, playing away at Rennes, Evian, and Ajaccio, and at home against Troyes this Sunday, and against Lyon.
Looking more closely at the remaining matches for the 9 teams that can still hope to secure a European spot, it is evident that the opportunity is more than achievable for the teammates of Didier Digard, who would love to inaugurate the new big Nice stadium with participation in a European Cup. Of course, the eaglets will need to soar away from home three times in the remaining five matches. However, while trips to Evian and Ajaccio could be challenging due to the standings of these two clubs flirting with the relegation zone, the one to Rennes could be less perilous, as the Breton club has nothing left to play for at this season’s end.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to successfully negotiate the two matches at Stade du Ray, starting with this Sunday’s victory against Troyes, which plays its rescheduled match of the 33rd day tomorrow at Rennes. Winning this is imperative for hope of staying in the leading pack. The final confrontation at Ray may prove more complex with Lyon’s visit in the penultimate match. Indeed, Lyon, ranked 3rd, will also aim to stay at the top, even after having faced two complicated matches against Saint-Etienne and PSG in previous days.
It is likely Saint-Etienne, recently crowned with their Coupe de la Ligue victory against Rennes, who have the most challenging schedule with away matches at Lyon, Lorient, and Lille, all contenders for European places, and hosting Bordeaux and especially Marseille, who remain one of the most serious candidates for direct qualification in the Champions League. Lorient is not much luckier, traveling to poorly ranked teams (Sochaux, Evian, and Reims) and hosting top contenders (Marseille, Saint-Etienne, and PSG).
In short, the mission is far from impossible, but to remain in the race with the big names, the Nice team must continue to persevere as they haven’t said their last word yet!
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
