Three days after their latest disappointment in the Europa League, OGC Nice returns to Ligue 1. The Gym faces the bottom team Montpellier away from home.
Ranked sixth before this new Ligue 1 matchday, OGC Nice’s performance has been rather mixed in recent weeks. With three defeats out of the last four matches, Franck Haise’s men are on a poor streak. While the Azurean club’s results are strong at home, with only one loss across all competitions this season to the Rangers, Nice struggles away. OGCN has secured only two victories away from home in ten matches this season.
Against the league’s bottom team, it’s imperative to improve this statistic. A challenge that might be more difficult than expected, as Montpellier seems to have regained form at La Mosson.
The Eagles will need to be especially diligent in defense. Against the weakest formation in Ligue 1 in this area, the Gym should have opportunities to score. Indeed, Montpellier has conceded 36 goals in 14 matches since the start of the season.
However, the absence of Dante in the coming weeks seems to have weakened the red and black’s defensive stability. It’s up to Franck Haise to find the best compromise with the available players.
The list of injured players inexorably grows
The Nice coach has a tough challenge on his hands at the moment. Already without Morgan Sanson, Dante, Melvin Bard, Ali Abdi, Antoine Mendy, and Youssouf Ndayishimiye in defense, a new withdrawal has been added to the list. That of Jérémie Boga. Already injured multiple times this season, the Ivorian wing-back reportedly suffered a severe injury during training. “It’s a serious muscle injury. It’s a long-term absence,” confirmed the coach at the press conference, specifying that the right thigh muscle is affected. The player must still undergo further tests before following a treatment protocol. The absence is estimated to be between 3 to 4 months.
Another blow since the Gym is already without Terem Moffi and Mohamed-Ali Cho. However, the Nice manager can rely on the upturn in form of Gaëtan Laborde, who will be facing his former club with the desire to do well.
Probable lineups:
MHSC: Benjamin Lecomte (G), Issiaga Sylla, Modibo Sagnan, Nikola Makimovic, Enzo Tchato, Jordan Ferri, Joris Chotard, Teji Savanier (C), Arnaud Nordin, Moussa Al-Tamari, Wahbi Khazri.
OGCN: Marcin Bulka (G), Jonathan Clauss, Moise Bombito, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Pablo Rosario (C), Tom Louchet, Tanguy Ndombele, Camara Issiaga, Sofian Diop, Evann Guessand, Gaëtan Laborde.
