Certainly, 10 wins, 9 draws, and only 6 losses make Claude Puel’s team one of the strong contenders in the major league, but Frédéric Antonetti’s charges are gradually rediscovering the joy of playing and, above all, the pleasure of scoring. The impressive run that started at Gerland Stadium in Lyon does not seem ready to end on the good path that Nice has found. Therefore, confidence is key, but caution is paramount because this Lille team is dangerous; even if they are currently having a tough stretch in the league (1 draw, 2 losses) and a bitter defeat this Wednesday in the Champions League, they are capable of winning away, as shown in Rennes (1-2), Valenciennes (0-3), Nancy (1-3), and Bordeaux (0-1). In the first leg, Lille took home three points by the narrowest of margins (1-0) with a goal from Nicolas Fauvergue.
On the red and black side, Antonetti will have to do without the phoenix Ederson, who is injured, but he can count on a full squad that knows a victory will move them out of the undesirable relegation zone. Bellion will also be absent due to recovery, and the island coach has chosen to do without the services of Fauconnier, Gace, Larbi, Moreau, and Touré. Thus, nothing to report in a Nice squad that will enter its home ground with steely morale, supported by undoubtedly a large crowd, even as, at the same time, the French rugby players continue their quest for the Grand Slam at the Six Nations Tournament 2007 by facing their Welsh counterparts.
The Mastiffs will play without Tavlaridis, who is suspended, but can count on the return of Keita, who has just served his suspension period. Claude Puel is expected to trust Nicolas Plestan and the Brazilian Rafael to form his central backbone. A former Nice player, who then went through Lorient, will be on the match sheet; it’s 23-year-old Johan Audel, a young attacker who has already played 5 games this year and might well set foot on the Ray’s pitch outside of the warm-up phase. Keep a very close eye on the northern camp’s top scorers, with the unstoppable Mathieu Bodmer (8 goals) and the lively Peter Odemwingie (6 goals).
A new match, a new goal… in short, a new finale tonight on a hill at the Ray, where everyone hopes for a great celebration punctuated by a liberating victory synonymous with so much happiness.
[Interview with Hugo Lloris](https://www.nicepremium.fr/article/hugo-lloris-de-nice-vers-les-etoiles….1688.html) (published in Nice Premium on February 20)
[Interview with Nicolas Plestan](https://www.nicepremium.fr/article/avant-lille-manchester-nicolas-plestan-est-«-content-d-avoir-la-confiance-du-coach-».1691.html) (published in Nice Premium on February 19)
The Nice squad: Letizi, Lloris, Abardonado, Apam, Fanni, Kanté, Scotto, Varrault, Veigneau, Balmont, Diakité, Echouafni, Rool, Traoré, Vahirua, Camara, Koné, Laslandes
The Lille squad: Malicki, Sylva – Tafforeau, Plestan, Chalmé, Schmitz, Lichtsteiner, Franquart – Dumont, Makoun, Bastos, Cabaye, Obraniak, Bodmer, Debuchy – A. Keita, Odemwingie, Fauvergue, Mirallas, Audel
