Charles Erhmann, Thursday evening. The red and black team from Nice train under the eyes of about fifteen supporters and a few journalists, including a team from France 2 Foot there to do a report on Hugo Lloris. The young goalkeeper is sought after by fans and the press, much like Ederson. The Brazilian has Monaco matches in his blood. Since his arrival in January 2005, he has played 6 matches against the Monegasques and has been decisive on three occasions. He particularly remembers two encounters: “It’s always special the derby against Monaco because whether we play at Ray or there, we are at home. I hope the supporters will be there as usual to win and continue on our momentum. My great memories are my first goal in L1 (Ederson scored a goal with a forty-meter lob at Ray in his second championship match) and the header that gave us qualification for the league cup final (in February 2006). I hope that Saturday will also be a good memory.” At 20, the Nice playmaker is not getting stressed, happy to be back on the pitch after three weeks of enforced rest due to a suspension served against Paris.
If everything is going well for the Brazilian, the same cannot be said for Habib Bamogo. The forward on loan from Olympique de Marseille is not having much success but he believes in his potential. If he is not only focused on his individual performances, it is because he trusts the team: “It’s a derby, it’s a pride, so you feel that the supporters are involved in it. We are too. Beyond that, there are three points at stake, and with the dynamic we are in, we have to think about that too. My lack of success doesn’t weigh on me. There are matches, no matter who scores, what matters is that the team wins. Even if I haven’t found the breakthrough, I know it will come.” Credited with a goal, on penalty against Nancy, Habib Bamogo is not worrying. He is simply happy with OGC Nice’s good position, hoping that it continues tonight.
The young players are in good form at this end of the first part of the championship, but the veterans are also present. From the regular Cyril Rool to newcomer Cyril Jeunechamp, we feel completely confident looking ahead to the match against AS Monaco. “It’s a derby, it’s an important match, we can’t wait to be there,” reminds the first while the second specifies that the red and black club will go there “to bring back points in the continuity of previous confrontations.” The former Rennes player, who does not yet know the passion that this derby generates, suspects that “everyone is already over-motivated and that the Nice supporters will move in large numbers to support the players, who will certainly give back in kind.” Cyril Rool, for his part, knows how these kinds of matches go. He says he is “happy to play derbies, big matches like this one, it’s a pleasure. We will do everything to win it to reassure the supporters. On the other hand, we do not think about previous encounters, it’s over, we must focus on the upcoming game.” Let’s bet his talent and thirst for victory will help once again to relieve the Nice squad for a match that promises to be heated. We remember that the former Bastia and… Monรฉgasque player finished the February 2006 semi-final on his knees to the point that he was out for 3 weeks.
The meeting is therefore set for tonight at 8 PM at Louis II for the 16th day of L1.
The Nice group (source ogcnice.com):
Frรฉdรฉric Antonetti has selected 19 players for the shortest trip of the season, Saturday in Monaco. Abardonado is out, Ederson returns from suspension. Hellebuyck is uncertain following a thigh knock.
Goalkeepers: Letizi, Lloris
Defenders: Apam, Barul, Gace, Hognon, Kantรฉ, Rool
Midfielders: Balmont, Diakitรฉ, Echouafni, Ederson, Hellebuyck, Jeunechamp
Forwards: Bamogo, Konรฉ, Job, Laslandes, Modeste
