After being eliminated from the Europa League this Thursday, Nice must continue their journey in the championship and maintain the lead. This involves a perilous reception of Bastia, this Sunday (5 PM) at the Allianz Riviera.
Against the Corsicans, Lucien Favre hopes to count on a large audience once again: “It’s up to us to do our best to have a big crowd on Sunday. For now, we are achieving that by being at the top of the championship. And we know that facing Bastia is a derby, it’s always an important match.”
Facing an opponent that is “very difficult to handle, very tenacious with very dangerous players”, the Swiss coach, true to his philosophy, emphasizes the “importance of playing well”.
Focused on their game, and buoyed by the passion of the entire stadium, the players from Nice are determined to continue their forward march by securing a victory that would offer them the double satisfaction of retaining the top spot in the standings while leaving the Corsicans 23 points behind.
The Opponent
After 13 matches, Bastia has three wins, three draws, and seven losses. A complicated start to the season for François Ciccolini’s players, who are in eighteenth place in the standings.
The Absentees
Nice will have to do without Mario Balotelli and Paul Baysse. Additionally, there’s the long-term absence of Maxime Le Marchand (who has resumed with the CFA), Mickaël Le Bihan, and Gautier Lloris.
On Bastia’s side, the absentees are Sébastien Squillaci, Alexander Djiku, Florian Raspentino, Farid Boulaya, and Jerson Cabral.
The Nice Squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez
Defenders: Souquet, Sarr, Dante, Dalbert, Boscagli, Ricardo
Midfielders: Seri, Walter, Bodmer, Cyprien, Koziello, Belhanda, Eysseric, Marcel
Forwards: Donis, Pléa
The Bastia Squad
Goalkeepers: Leca, Vincensini
Defenders: Cioni, Marange, Peybernes, El Kaoutari, Bengtsson
Midfielders: Keita, Cahuzac, Coulibaly, Mostefa, Danic, Diallo, Ngando
Forwards: Crivelli, Nangis, Bifouma, Saint-Maximin
The Referee
The referee for the match will be Lionel Jaffredo. He will be assisted at the whistle by Pierre Chevreux and Philippe Tugdual. The fourth official is Romain Delpech.
