Once again, OGC Nice finds itself having to secure its place in Ligue 1 in a final match, which is moreover at Gerland against an Olympique Lyonnais that is certainly weakened and no longer has anything to play for mathematically in the championship, but will want to finish in style in front of its home crowd before the summer break. A night of nerves for the fans of the Gym.
With players heckled by supporters and even rumors about the arrival of a new coach or a new investor and decision-maker, a former Minister of Industry, no more was needed to unsettle the preparations for this last decisive meeting with these 90 minutes that can change the life of a club as well as a player. OGC Nice will therefore present itself without Mounier, insufficiently recovered, nor Mouloungui and Gomis, both suffering knee injuries, facing a Lyon team heavily reshuffled with the suspensions of Cris and Yoann Gourcuff and the injuries of Mensah, Lovren, Ederson, and Bastos.
But the president’s starting eleven will still look impressive tonight with the well-known and appreciated Lloris in goal, and Vercoutre well supported by the likes of Dabo, Rรฉveillรจre, Cissokho, Gonalons, Kรคllstrรถm, Lacazette, Lisandro, and another Gomis. The task will therefore be quite complicated, almost as much as defeat is forbidden for the men of Renรฉ Marsiglia, who, true to his image, takes things in stride and puts the situation into perspective, “We will get through this on our own!” And it is indeed true that they should not rely on the downfall of others to avoid their own, even if, evidently, some pursuers will face equally complicated away games like Dijon going to Rennes, Ajaccio to Toulouse, Brest to Evian, Caen to Valenciennes, or even high-risk home receptions for Lorient hosting PSG, still in the race for the title.
It is indeed on the field that the people of Nice will have to seek their salvation, and there is no doubt that time will remain suspended from 9 p.m. during the 90 minutes that will follow for the fans of the Gym, who have already planned their meeting in the city’s sports bars or in small committees at home among friends in front of the multiplex of a last day worthy of a good Stephen King book….
