A beautiful poster from times past for the revival of an OGC Nice that is stringing together good results, making Claude Puel’s team the best formation in Ligue 1 since last November. A victory against Reims and it will be one more step towards Europe.
It’s still without Cvitanich, Genevois, Pentecôte, Pied, and Traoré that the eagles will challenge Hubert Fournier’s men, who could find themselves in the relegation zone in case of a defeat or draw on Nice soil.
With 24 points on the board and an inglorious 17th place, the Reims team nevertheless remains on a positive away performance with a victory in Nancy during the second-to-last matchday (1-2). But since matchday 10, when the Champagne team occupied the 7th place in the standings, the decline has been steady with repeated defeats at home and away, and an elimination from both cups. It is understood, if not decisive yet, this encounter will still be worth its weight in points for the teammates of Kossi Agassa, Reims’s guardian angel.
For Nice, the points are just as valuable but for a different reason: The podium. Indeed, in case of victory, Puel’s protégés will still point to the 4th place which is currently theirs but will be just one small step behind Olympique de Marseille who will play on Sunday in the season’s “classico” against Paris Saint Germain. It’s all the more reason to give everything to have no regrets, all points taken won’t need to be earned again especially with two matches following at Saint-Etienne and then at Ray against Montpellier. But, no doubt Neal Maupay will want to continue to shine within the red and black attack while his defense continues to guard its recurrent invincibility this season.
The Nice Squad
Claude Puel has selected a squad of 20 players for the match against Reims in the advanced match of the 26th day.
Goalkeepers: Delle, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Gomis, Kolodziejczak, Palun, Pejcinovic, Puel, Rougeaux
Midfielders: Abriel, Anin, Bruins, Dao Castellana, Diaz, Digard, Eysseric, Meriem
Forwards: Bauthéac, Bosetti, Maupay
Absent: Cvitanich, Fofana, Genevois, Hennion, M’Bow, Pentecôte, Pied, Traoré (injured), Bahoken (suspended), Berthomier (coach’s choice)
The Reims Squad against Nice
Hubert Fournier has communicated a squad of 18 players for the trip to Nice. Tacalfred and Diego Rigonato are returning from injury.
The Squad: Agassa, Placide – Glombard, Tacalfred, Fofana, Weber, Souaré, Mandi, Signorino – Ramaré, Krychowiak, Ca, Devaux, Fortes, Diego – De Préville, Courtet, Ghilas
