Nice hosts Caen, the last in the league, tonight (8 p.m.) with the goal of staying in touch with fifth place and Europe. In this final sprint, Nice has a certain advantage…
Starting with the reception of Caen (kick-off this Saturday at 8 p.m.), as well as the welcoming of Guingamp (Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m.), Nantes, and the Monaco neighbors for the final home game. Advantage of the schedule, the Allianz Riviera will host 4 of the last 6 Ligue 1 matchdays. “A great card to play” in the race for Europe, according to the Eagles’ captain, Dante.
“The supporters will play a very important role. This is the final sprint, now is the time we need to gather all our strengths to reach this objective, insisted El Commandante in front of the journalists. We want to return to Europe, both us and the fans. We all need to be together, have them come to the stadium to support us, help us, because their presence truly makes us happy and transmits energy and euphoria to us”.
If the Red and Blacks have only won one of their last 6 games against Malherbe (3 draws and 2 losses), they have not lost any of their last 5 home games against SMC (3 wins and 2 draws) in the elite. To recall, the Eagles are on a nice home series (7 wins and 3 draws in L1). Currently, only Paris (16) does better at home.
Fabien Mercadal’s men have won only one of their last 14 games (3 draws and 10 defeats) and only one of their last 13 away games (5 draws and 7 defeats) in Ligue 1. The current bottom team (23 points, 2 less than Dijon, currently in the playoff spot) had nevertheless broken out of this bad spiral at the Monaco neighbors on March 31 (0-1 win). The match was marked by the superb performance of the Caen goalkeeper, Brice Samba, who can prove formidable against Nice’s attackers.
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Clémentia
Defenders: Burner, Atal, Coly, Sarr, Herelle, Boscagli, Dante
Midfielders: Lees-Melou, Walter, Tameze, Valtriani, Makengo
Forwards: Srarfi, Saint-Maximin, Sacko, Jaziri, Brazão
THE CAEN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Zelazny, Samba
Defenders: Guilbert, Djiku, Armougom, Gradit, Genevois, Zahary, Imorou
Midfielders: Deminguet, Repas, Khaoui, Oniangué, Sankoh
Forwards: Tchokounté, Crivelli, Ninga, Moussaki
THE REFEREE
Jérôme Miguelgorry will be officiating the match. He will be assisted by Éric Danizan and Christophe Mouysset.
