Even if they haven’t maintained the same (hellish) pace as last season, the Monegasques have managed to recover perfectly from their defeat at Allianz. Since the 5th matchday, they have collected 29 points in 14 games, making them the 4th best in the elite (behind Paris, Lyon, and Marseille). At the end of the first half of the season, they occupy 2nd place in the championship, with 41 points.
Semi-finalists of the last Champions League (defeated 2-0 and 2-1 against Juventus), Monaco will only compete in France during the 2nd half of the current season. Eliminated from all European competitions after the group stage of the Champions League, Leonardo Jardim’s team remains in contention in all national competitions, thanks to a victory secured last Sunday at Yzeure in the 32nd round of the French Cup (5-2).
On the Nice side, Mario Balotelli, absent in Toulouse during the 32nd round of the French Cup, should, barring any last-minute setbacks, be able to rejoin the Nice team against Monaco (kick-off Tuesday at 21:00). Lucien Favre confirmed this to the press. “Yes, normally, he should be there. In the last two home games against Monaco, he scored each time (two braces). Things can happen (before the match), but he will probably be there.”
Injured in Lille, “after 8 months of stoppage,” Wylan Cyprien, “who stopped for 15 days and completed a week of training,” will not be able to reintegrate into the red and black team this Tuesday. Neither will Christophe Jallet.
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez
Defenders: Sarr, Burner, Dante, Marlon, Le Marchand, Lloris
Midfielders: Koziello, Mendy, Cyprien, Seri, Tameze, Lees-Melou
Forwards: Balotelli, Plea, Saint-Maximin, Srarfi, Ganago
THE MONACO SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benaglio, Sy, Badiashile
Defenders: Glik, Jemerson, Jorge, Raggi, Sidibé, Touré
Midfielders: Fabinho, Lemar, Mboula, Moutinho, N’Doram, Rony Lopes
Forwards: Keita Baldé, Carrillo, Diakhaby, Ghezzal, Jovetic
THE REFEREE
The referee for the match will be Clément Turpin.
