It is well known that trips to Lille are high-risk journeys, but it must be noted that over the past 5 years, the eagles have not lost their way, as they have always brought back a point with last season’s 4-4 draw, snatched by Clerc in the last seconds of the match while playing 10 against 11. So, will OGC Nice make a statement at 5:00 PM on the Lille stadium pitch?
It may well be that the standings and circumstances of this 2012-2013 championship season push Claude Puel’s men to strive for more than just a single point against a Lille team that needs to digest their Coupe de la Ligue elimination at Saint-Etienne after the penalty shootout (7-6), yet is coming off two good away draws against Reims (1-1) and Nancy (2-2). In their last match at the Stadium, they easily defeated Montpellier (4-1).
A clash between in-form teams and a return to roots for Claude Puel, who would love to return to the Côte d’Azur with three points in his pocket, which would allow him to prepare for the match against Bordeaux’s Girondins at the Ray with full confidence. As a man native to the region, the coach from the Côte d’Azur knows it won’t be easy to win at the Stadium, but he also knows he can count on a squad capable of achieving such an exploit, especially fighting until the very last seconds of a match. So, a delicate mission but not necessarily impossible for a group within which good humor and joie de vivre have replaced the usual fear and gloom of previous seasons at this time of year.
For, if the Gym gets a good result in Lille, depending on tonight’s result between Bordeaux and Paris Saint Germain (9:00 PM), next Sunday’s Nice-Bordeaux match could have a special European flavor, filling and igniting the good old Stade du Ray in its final season before the eagles move to their new grand stadium.
Referees for Lille – Nice
The LFP has appointed the referees for the Lille – Nice match on Sunday, January 20th (21st day of Ligue 1). Wilfried Bien will officiate with the whistle, assisted by Fabrice Plancon and Cédric Schurra. The fourth referee will be Thomas Léonard.
For more info: www.ogcnice.com
The Nice squad
Claude Puel has selected a group of 20 players for Sunday’s trip to Lille (5:00 PM). Injured Palun leaves the group, Pentecôte rejoins it.
Goalkeepers: Delle, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Genevois, Gomis, Kolodziejczak, Pejcinovic
Midfielders: Abriel, Anin, Diaz, Digard, Eysseric, Meriem, Pied, Rafetraniaina
Forwards: Bauthéac, Bosetti, Cvitanich, Maupay, Pentecôte
Absent: Fofana, Hennion, M’Bow, Palun (injured), Traoré (call-up), Bahoken (resuming), Berthomier, Dao Castellana (coach’s choice)
The Lille squad against Nice
Rudi Garcia announced on the official LOSC website his group of 19 players to face the Gym on Sunday (5:00 PM) at the Grande Stade Lille Métropole. Rio Mavuba and Florent Balmont, who were uncertain, are indeed present. Tulio De Melo is out.
The squad: Elana, Mouko – Basa, Béria, Bonnart, Chedjou, Digne, Rozehnal, Sidibé – Balmont, Gueye, Martin, Pedretti, Mavuba – Payet, Bruno, Rodelin, Roux, Klonaridis
