From aiming for Europe to fighting for survival, it’s just a step away, and then some points at the end of the season. A sad reality for OGC Nice defeated by Toulouse (0-2). Ambitious at the start of the season, the club from the French Riviera now has no other goal than survival in Ligue 1. The latest home defeat only confirmed a dark period on the sporting front.
55th minute, Lloyd Palun, guilty of a dangerous act on a Toulouse player, is sent off leaving his teammates down to 10 men. An action that may seem trivial. In reality, it is indicative of the psychological state of a group walking on the edge. Common symptoms characterizing a team in crisis. Nerves fail, clarity vanishes, and with it goes confidence.
Another symbol: the two missed headers by Dario Cvitanich. Alone in the box, the Argentine saw his attempts stray off target. Unthinkable for a striker of this caliber just a few months ago. Today, Super Dario is just a shadow of the scorer he was last season.
Claude Puel is experiencing the same situation. The Nice coach has unfortunately returned to the level of his last years at Lyon. His intentionally optimistic discourse after each setback seems to have lost its effect. Stubborn in his choices, the man struggles to question himself. After Guingamp, he hinted at a share of responsibility in the downfall, before quickly changing his stance during the week and ultimately blaming the pitch’s condition. A dangerous analysis in Nice’s situation. The players need to be questioned, shaken up, and probably not coddled. For the first time, the Nice coach admits aiming for survival. The recent performances should have already alerted him. In response to recent defeats, he wanted to stop the “doom and gloom”. In the end, what could have passed for doom and gloom is now very real.
16th place, 9 points clear of the first relegation spots, Nice also sees Sochaux closing in behind them. For now, the standings are not too worrying. However, the negative momentum is entirely reminiscent of a relegation battle. And the schedule does not encourage optimism. Marseille, Bastia, Bordeaux, Paris, and Saint Etienne are, in order, the Gym’s next opponents. After this marathon, we will know a little more about its situation in Ligue 1.
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