“This year, everyone seems to have regained the pleasure of being together.” If Virginie Rossetti—after similar statements from coach Antonetti—says it, we can only be pleased to find some calm after last season’s storms in a red and black ship that rocked heavily but ultimately did not capsize.
After a promising eighth place and a League Cup final, the eagles probably climbed a bit too high, and with a lack of oxygen, the people of Nice were left breathless, only losing a few feathers in the last episode of the Ligue 1 saga.
Another piece of good news for OGC Nice is the arrival of a new sponsor. Indeed, City Sport has just joined the club of Gym’s partners and will appear on the front of the jersey alongside Takara. It is Maurice Cohen who is behind the signing of this group of sports stores, which could well transform into a good distribution network for the club’s merchandise.
Let’s find Virginie Rossetti again, who explains how she envisions the new season in red and black.
Nice Premium: Virginie, how is the red and black house doing a few days before the resumption?
Virginie Rossetti: After what we experienced last season, everyone seems to be pulling in the same direction on the eve of this new championship. It is in hardship that we learn, and I think everyone has learned here, especially to stick together.
Last year, we were all a bit elated by the 8th place and that of finalist in the League Cup; perhaps we got a bit carried away….
This year, everyone seems to have regained the pleasure of being together, and the echoes from the coach after the training camp in Albertville are there to prove it.
NP: We sense a calm within the club. Do you confirm?
VR: Yes, we finally feel a kind of serenity again, with the will to start the season well and go as high as possible together, players, supporters, and staff.
But it must be said that after all the difficulties encountered last season (GSN cancellation, firefighter accident, team’s poor start, president’s departure and return, complaints…), we aspire to some peace, and we’re all ready to get to work and give it our all!!!
NP: Hellebuyck, Hognon, Bamogo, Yahaya. What do you think of the recruitment, and can you give us information on ongoing transfers?
VR: From a football perspective, I personally find the recruitment smart and well-thought-out, and even though several starters have left, each has been replaced in stride by a solid value.
From a purely human standpoint, I was very pleasantly surprised by the availability and adaptability of the newcomers; you sense a real pleasure on their part to have joined the Gym and a very strong motivation.
I take the opportunity to slip to the supporters that extending players like Lloris, Ederson, Diakité, and Apam represents a very significant financial investment in terms of the payroll. It’s true that one might imagine from the outside that, through the sale of players like Fanni or Bellion, the coffers have been considerably filled… one should know that this money was directly reinvested into salary increases for the elements we absolutely wanted to keep…
It’s a real negotiation war between clubs, and when we know that this year, we will have the 19th budget of Ligue 1, we can easily imagine the difficulty of competing with others…we always come back to talking about the importance of the Grand Stade to grow and catch up with the delay (as a reminder, we are the only Ligue 1 club without a big stadium!!)
NP: A nice series of friendly matches. A good omen for a Nice defense that conceded only one goal in 4 games?
VR: Last year we finished 16th… with the 6th best defense, no comment needed!!
With the confirmation of Lloris and Apam, the experience of Pancho, Hognon, and Kanté, and the probable future revelation, Yahaya… we are strong!!!!
NP: New jerseys this year. How is the arrival of new sponsors going?
VR: To our great satisfaction, Takara has renewed its partnership, Pizzorno has expanded it from the sleeve to the back, and CANCA is now displayed on the chest.
The arrival of the new manufacturer Lotto is also doing us good.
Our goal now is to conclude with a sponsor who will occupy the front of the jersey, and backstage is very active on this… and working tirelessly!!!
NP: Some regret the curtain raisers with matches of reserve teams. What is your position on this subject?
VR: Our position is clear… there will be no fewer than 10 curtain raisers this year… In association with the Supporters’ Club, co-organizers, the children of the region’s clubs will have the opportunity to compete throughout the season.
The opportunity to strengthen ties with the amateur world and create a true synergy around the Gym.
