In what state is OGC Nice before a perilous trip to Marseille? The question deserves to be asked after the recent misadventures of the team from the Côte d’Azur. Only one victory (against Lille) in the last seven matches, the statistics speak for themselves. And the upcoming series of games does not inspire optimism: Marseille, Bastia, Bordeaux, PSG, and Saint Etienne.
Tonight, at the Vélodrome, OGC Nice will play to avoid sinking further in the standings. Quite the opposite of the scenario in the first match. At that time, the team from Nice had a good start to their championship, (3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses). The reception of OM was seen as the first major test. A hurdle successfully crossed after a heroic match by David Ospina.
What followed was catastrophic with 7 consecutive defeats in Ligue 1. One of the worst streaks in the club’s history. Today, many things have changed in both camps. Yet, some similarities remain. On the Marseille side, Elie Baup’s paternalistic management has given way to the firm hand of the Anigo-Emon duo. But only in appearance. In terms of play, Marseille has produced nothing for quite a while. Only the solidarity of the group and the contribution of a few individuals manage to keep the Phoenicians at the top of the standings. The same characteristics as last season, you might say? But without the outrageous success. A factor that allowed OM to reach second place. In any case, the Olympian club presents itself as the favorite on its pitch against this Nice.
For the red and blacks, the season has been marked by series. With only one constant, the difficulty of producing play in both defeat and victory. From risky tactics to a dip in form of key players, nothing has seemed to go right for this club. In Marseille, the prospect of playing a derby can transcend this mentally affected group. Despite everything, Nice has a 9-point lead over the first relegation-threatened teams. The situation is not catastrophic. There is also this last victory at the Vélodrome, highlighting the triumph of Nice’s youth. The uncertainty lies simply in the mindset of a group deprived of many players, subject to the pressure of immediate results.
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