After the winter break and a painful elimination in the Cup, the Aiglons return to the Allianz Riviera to face Bordeaux. While the first leg was the start of a great series, this match will also be important.
Still reeling from the announcement of Jean-Pierre Rivère and Julien Fournier’s departure by the end of the season, the Gym and its supporters are ready to return to the Allianz Riviera this Saturday evening. Ligue 1 is back, and despite the further postponement of several matches, Nice-Bordeaux is indeed going ahead.
Present at the press conference this Thursday, Patrick Vieira provided some additional information about the duel with the Girondins, as well as about 3 group members.
“We will try to start 2019 well after the disappointment in Toulouse. Bordeaux is like us; they can be inconsistent but remain very dangerous up front with important offensive assets. It’s up to us to maintain our defensive discipline while trying to improve in the tactical aspect. We also need to be more aggressive in the penalty area. It’s necessary to bring something new (…) which might involve a change in tactical formation.”
“For Myziane, we will wait a bit longer; it won’t be until the end of January – the first week of February. Mickaël Le Bihan is training with the group, there’s a special program for him but it’s still a bit early. Pierre Lees-Melou is getting much better, but it’s also too early to set a return date.” Absent for the first match of 2019 in Toulouse, Danilo has resumed collective training.
Christophe Jallet also participated in the traditional Q&A game. “Bordeaux is a team capable of both good and bad performances, as shown by their two matches against Le Havre. We managed to beat them at their place in the first leg. They are a direct competitor.”
Between the Gym and their next opponent, it’s somewhat “the same battle.” Currently mid-table, the Bordelais (13th, 4 points behind the Gym) are looking to find the momentum that will allow them to reach the upper half and stay there.
Capable of spectacular feats, as illustrated by the draw against PSG (2-2), and struggling against teams in the lower half of the table, Eric Bedouet’s men have logged 5 wins and as many losses at mid-season, and have shared the points 7 times.
Unbeaten in their last 6 league matches, and since receiving… the Gym (0-1, 11th matchday), they have only achieved one victory in this period, against St-Etienne (3-2, 16th matchday). They have accumulated 5 mixed draws (against Lyon, Caen, Dijon, Paris, and Amiens), making the assessment of their current form difficult. The 6th best defense in L1 (20 goals conceded), Eric Bedouet’s group has also gained the majority of their points at home (see below).
Note that the year 2018 began with a double confrontation against Le Havre, with a loss for the Marine and Blanc in the Coupe de France (0-1) and a win in the Coupe de la Ligue (1-0, goal by Kalu).
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Clémentia
Defenders: Sarr, Burner, Hérelle, Dante, Coly, Pelmard, Atal, Boscagli, Jallet
Midfielders: Walter, Cyprien, Tameze, Makengo, Danilo
Forwards: Saint-Maximin, Srarfi, Sacko, Sylvestre
THE BORDEAUX SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Costil, Poussin
Defenders: Sabaly, Koundé, Poundjé, Lewczuk, Jovanovic, Palencia
Midfielders: Otavio, Lerager, Basic, Plasil, Vada
Forwards: Kalu, Briand, Kamano, De Préville, Karamoh, Cornelius
THE REFEREE
For the first time this season, Nicolas Rainville will officiate an OGC Nice match. This Saturday evening, he will be assisted by Julien Aube and Yannick Boutry.
