After a home setback against Metz (0-1), the bottom of the league, the Eagles will face the undisputed leader of Ligue 1 (13 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss) on their field, Paris Saint Germain, for the 16th matchday of Ligue 1.
It may be one of the most important matches of the season for Gym, taking place tonight at 9:00 PM at the Parc des Princes.
Indeed, despite holding third place in the standings, OGC Nice is taking big risks tonight because Galtier’s men have been struggling more in recent matches.
The Azure defense, imperial at the start of the season, is now conceding in every match since September 25. In the last five encounters, only two victories have been secured by the Eagles, both after leading by a goal. In these two matches, Gym managed to come back in the second half, driven by individual efforts and beautiful collective attacks.
However, this offensive efficiency has declined, leading to the last two home defeats against Montpellier and Metz. Two teams that knew how to score despite few opportunities and managed to preserve a lead by forming a deep block and counter-attacking.
Nice absolutely needs to address these two weaknesses. Christophe Galtier announced after the defeat against Metz, “things need to change.” The 56-year-old coach reaffirmed this during a press conference on Monday: “I will make changes. Of course, there is reflection on the lessons from the last match and what Paris will impose on us. But I also consider that when you haven’t performed well collectively, sometimes the same team needs to be fielded against a very tactically structured opponent… There will be ten defenders on the field.
Despite Neymar’s absence (injured against Saint-Etienne), Paris can count on the presence of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, his compatriot Angel Di Maria, and Kylian Mbappe.
Nice’s defense must be at the top to avoid being overwhelmed, while the Azure attack needs to be clinical against Donnarumma and the Marquinhos and Kimpembe central defense.
The probable lineups:
Paris Saint Germain in 4-3-3:
Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes – Gueye, Pereira, Paredes – Messi, Mbappé, Di Maria.
Absent: Wijnaldum, Herrera, Draxler, Neymar (injury), and Ramos (rest)
OGC Nice in 4-4-2:
Benitez – Lotomba or Daniluc, Todibo, Dante, Bard – Stengs, Thuram, Lemina, Kluivert – Delort, Gouiri
Absent: Guessand, Bambu (injury), and Rosario (suspended)
