After an encouraging first match but marred by the events against Monaco, Nice travels to Troyes for the second day of Ligue 1. Facing the Ligue 2 champion, the gym relies on the elements glimpsed in recent weeks: the spirit of the game and offensive inspiration.
Ben Arfa – Pléa – Germain. The main asset of OGC Nice at the very start of the season is summed up in this trio. Additionally, with a solid Papy Mendy, and if the makeshift defense by Puel holds, the gym can have an interesting start to the season. However, they need to start collecting points. In the first day that felt like a prologue, Nice fell to a well-formed and fit Monaco, aided by the physical struggles of the Aiglons. Before recovering at home to forget last season’s disappointing performances at the Allianz Riviera, it is in Troyes that Nice must now make its mark.
For this, Claude Puel should rely on a team composition almost identical to last week, except for Bodmer and Pouplin, who are injured, and Boscagli who is suspended.
They will need to reorganize at the back. Against a Troyes team known for being playful, the encounter might not be straightforward for a defense lacking in cohesion.
The key is likely to be controlling the ball. Efficiency will also be crucial, a boon, perhaps, for Alassane Pléa: “Last year, it’s true that we had good results away. Personally, I was comfortable traveling.” The former Lyon player, who would like to score, wouldn’t mind providing an assist either: “If I have the chance to provide scoring opportunities for Hatem, Valère, or someone else, I’d be delighted.”
Certainties and Adjustments
The match against Monaco confirmed, despite the defeat, some very positive points for the Gym. This 4-4-2 diamond formation, firstly. The Nice midfield has the qualities to keep possession even against aggressive teams, which is what the recently promoted team might be. The offensive trio, as mentioned, is also a source of satisfaction. The question remains unchanged, and it’s even been heightened with the injuries, concerning the defense. The pace of Yohan Court or Corentin Jean will attempt to set the Stade de l’Aube alight. The Nice team should be keen to keep a close watch on them. In midfield, Mendy will have the heavy task of preventing the indefatigable Nivet from distributing.
Claude Puel knows that the playmaker of ESTAC “always has an eye,” and it’s up to his players to prevent him from using his vision of the game. Far from being obvious, this trip to Champagne-Ardenne must allow Nice to launch its season in line with its new playing principles. To generate ideas in a Ligue 1 that, apart from the very top, promises to be quite open.
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
