A third of the way into the championship, OGC Nice is in 6th place on the table, providing an opportunity to do a Top/Flop. We note standout performances (4-1 at Rennes and at Saint-Etienne), moments of brilliance (Hatem Ben Arfa and the players’ reception at Charles-Ehrmann) but also disappointments such as the draw at Troyes (3-3 after leading 3-1) or the no-show against Guingamp (1-0 defeat).
This Tuesday spotlight is on the tops. On Wednesday, find the flops.
Top 1: the team’s play
What a transformation! This season, the Gym delights its fans. The style of play offered by Claude Puel and his staff brings a breath of fresh air to Ligue 1, which is often very dull. Alongside Paris-Saint-Germain, Nice offers the most attractive play in the French championship thanks to a playing philosophy centered on ball possession and the desire to push forward. A risky game, certainly, but a game unlike 75% of Ligue 1.
Clearly, not everything is perfect since OGC Nice concedes many goals, perhaps too many some might say (17 in 13 matches), but certain areas bring joy.
How can one not love this midfield with Papy Mendy as a true number 6, this leech that sticks to the opponent and recovers countless balls. Micka Séri makes you want to watch football, true football, playing quickly forward with very little waste and a shot as powerful as good attackers. And Vincent Koziello and his “angelic face”? Despite his small stature, he doesn’t hesitate to engage physically, allowing him to keep or recover the ball. A technically gifted, small-sized player with great game intelligence.
We could also mention Wallyson who, at 21, is poised for a bright future. In attack, everything is going well and could be even better with Alassane Plea and Mickaël Le Bihan out until the winter break (meniscus and stress fracture). Valère Germain scores (5 goals), Hatem Ben Arfa is having fun, and Alexandre Mendy is climbing the ranks step by step.
Top 2: performances away from home
If I tell you 2nd, 14 points out of 21, 17 goals scored. Yes, we are indeed talking about Nice away from home. This season, Claude Puel’s men are robust away, with 4 wins, 2 draws, only one defeat, and let’s add a qualification for the last 16 of the Coupe de la Ligue at Caen (2-1). This is already a noted trend last season, when the Gym seemed freer away with a counter-attacking strategy.
It’s precisely thanks to the points earned away that Nice managed to stay up two years ago and finished 11th last season. A phenomenon that might surprise, especially after the two 4-1 victories at Saint-Etienne and Rennes on a Sunday night in prime time on Canal +, if you please. One might have thought the element of surprise was over, but last week, this 2015-2016 version of OGCN won at Marseille (1-0) with a near-perfect first half.
A small caveat, however, with points lost at Troyes (3-3) or the missed match at Gazélec Ajaccio (1-3). Overall, Nice enchants its fans and specialists away.
Top 3: the recruits
What haven’t we heard or read this summer about the Nice transfer market… One should have thought twice before speaking. So yes, apart from Ben Arfa and Germain, no name was known. Séri, Le Marchand, Pereira, Baysse, Wallyson, on paper, it’s not thrilling, but they needed to be closely analyzed to understand that they would benefit this Riviera squad.
Let’s commend Hatem Ben Arfa who kept his promise from January and is finally in red and black. He rewards the club’s, coach’s, and fans’ trust with a fiery start to the season, earning him a call-up to the French national team. Valère Germain made the short trip from the Principality and is happy about it. With already 5 goals to his name (7 if we include the 2 in the match halted against Nantes), he is indispensable to Nice’s play. His October was more complicated but at the forefront of the attack, he’s a real asset.
No need to revisit Séri, mentioned earlier. Let’s talk about Maxime Le Marchand, ex-captain of Le Havre at only 26. He quickly integrated into the Gym’s squad and stands as a key defender. He is reassuring at the back, clean in his defense, with a good aerial ability. Trust me, his progression is not over. Ricardo Pereira is a great find. Originally a winger, converted to full-back, he’s excelling on the left side even though his strong foot is the right. Twice an assist provider, his offensive input is undeniable, and defensively he is improving.
Finally, Paul Baysse is bouncing back after years of struggle due to repetitive injuries. As the matches go on, he is increasingly serious and reassures the defensive block.
Back from a loan at Guingamp, Jérémy Pied can be considered a recruit, and what a recruit. Repositioned as a right-back, he had a high-quality first half of the season. You’d think he was a veteran in this position, yet he only has three months in his legs.
