Four days after the victory on the Nantes field, 2-1, the Nice team will follow up with hosting the French champion, PSG, at the Allianz Riviera, tomorrow at 5:15 PM.
It’s time for the third match in a week for the Aiglons. And not just any match. It’s the formidable Paris-Saint-Germain, the French champion, coming to face the red and black at the Allianz Riviera. A big test for the Nice team, who have secured two victories against the “big teams” in the championship: at Lyon and against Rennes. “We know how to approach this kind of match,” explains the right-back from the Azure coast, Christophe Jallet.
Beware of a thrashing
A mountain will stand in front of the Azure club on Saturday. PSG is at the top of the Ligue 1 with 7 victories in 7 matches. Therefore, a perfect match is required to at least gain some points. Away from home, the capital club’s statistics are just as impressive: 10 goals scored in 3 matches. “They have enormous quality everywhere. The attacking trio Cavani-Neymar-Mbappe is a threat to everyone. We’ll have to be at 300%, have an exemplary mindset, and a high level of commitment to gain points,” emphasizes Christophe Jallet during the press conference yesterday.
The former Parisian couldn’t be more right. After a 3-match suspension, World Champion Kylian Mbappรฉ will return to action tomorrow at the Allianz Riviera. He will be the number one weapon for his coach Thomas Tuchel. “He is a constant danger, a poison. It’s both daunting to face them and an honor to play against such a player.”
“Use the crowd to give us strength”
“We will need to play a perfect game to hope for something,” emphasizes Patrick Vieira, the Nice coach. “We will have to rely on the crowd to give us the strength to achieve a good result.”
The Aiglons will have the support of more than 30,000 fans filling the stands of the Allianz Riviera. But even with the backing of a supportive crowd, it will be difficult to overcome this opponent, still unbeaten in Ligue 1 this year. “If we’re not all together, it will be mission impossible. We must not leave spaces between the lines, be aggressive in the right way, and especially disciplined.” Coach Vieira knows the formula.
It’s up to him and his men to succeed where many have stumbled: to bring down the great Paris-Saint-Germain on the 5th anniversary of the Azure club’s installation at the Allianz Riviera. One thing is certain, the Aiglons expect to suffer tomorrow at 5:15 PM. “Whether we wait for them or press them, we’re going to have problems. They are great players, it’s a great team. Fear? No, it’s excitement.”
Pierre Ferrand
