OGC Nice has not won in Rennes since August 29, 1990 (0-3). The 1990-91 season is one that all Nice fans have tried to erase from their minds. The Azuréen club, despite a commendable performance, was relegated due to poor finances—a euphemism. 18 years later, their finances are in the green. And with eleven matches undefeated, their points tally in the standings is very good. Nice is in fourth place with 35 points and can see life through rose-colored glasses. The fans are excited. The journalists too. The players are starting to talk about more than just staying up. Fortunately, and humbly, Frédéric Antonetti, the coach of the Rouge et Noir, remains calm: “If we were fourth with two games to the end, I’d look at the standings. But today, the 12th place, Rennes, has 28 points. And they are a good team. There are still 17 rounds left and other teams can do what we achieved last season. We need to be realistic.” The coach is cautious and wary.
Three crucial matches are coming up. Wednesday evening at Rennes where the eaglets will have one day less recovery, Saturday in Toulouse against Haute-Garonne players in need of points, then fifteen days later with the reception of Olympique Marseille who will want to avenge a bitter defeat from the first round.
In twenty days, it will be time to talk about new ambitions. With a very good record, the critical mark of 42 points will be exceeded. The narrative will change. For now, the eaglets are focusing on the trip to Brittany. They remain on three losses at the Stade de la Route de Lorient and eight matches without a win. Last year, Rennes won 1-0 with a goal from Olivier Monterrubio from a disputed penalty. On January 13, Guy Lacombe’s men, by defeating OM 3-1, ended an 8 consecutive match winless streak in the league (7 losses including 4 at home). This series saw Pierre Dréossi leave his post. Today, Stade Rennais with former Niçois Rod Fanni is more serene. Placed twelfth, with a quality squad, the Breton club hopes to climb the ranking with a positive streak this time, which, the Rennes fans and directors hope, will start with the reception of Nice. For this match, Guy Lacombe will be without M’Bia and Mensah, who have gone to the African Cup of Nations, and Borne, Esteban, Kembo Ekoko, Echiejile due to injuries. Former Liverpool Red, Djimi Traoré, will probably make his debut. On the Nice side, in addition to the absences of Koné, Kanté, Apam, Job, and Diakité all at the CAN, Bamogo is suspended, and Rool is injured. Youngsters Anthony Modeste and Ismaël Gace are expected to start. Frédéric Antonetti will continue to rely on his new strong axis Gérald Cid and Alaeddine Yahia, who has just signed a contract with OGC Nice until 2010.
Every good streak has an end. The question is: who will end Nice’s? If it’s Rennes on Wednesday night, it will be said that the life at the top for the eaglets was just an episode. If it continues, we can start talking about hit series… in the European charts.
