OGC Nice kicks off their season this Sunday afternoon (5 PM) against Stade Rennais. At home, the Aiglons will be eager to shine and reassure their fans after a sluggish friendly match campaign.
It’s back-to-school time for the Gym! And what a start. In a very particular context (see inset), Lucien Favre’s protégés will play their first official match since the arrival of the Swiss coach. A real full-scale test for the Aiglons.
The record from the friendly matches is quite mixed. Despite two draws and three losses, the content of the matches was rather interesting. The best way to reassure themselves would be to start the season with a complete performance, with victory added on.
The Niçois are not used to a flying start to the season. Quite the contrary. In the past ten years, the Gym has been defeated seven times, with two victories and one draw. But these starts seldom reflect the season that follows. Despite an opening loss, Nice finished fourth twice (2012-2013, lost 1-0 against Ajaccio, and 2015-2016, lost 1-2 against Monaco). Conversely, in years with a victorious opening day, the season was more laborious (2009-2010, 0-2 victory in Saint-Étienne and a final 15th place. 2014-2015, victory 3-2 against Toulouse then 11th place).
The Opponent
Stade Rennais played 5 friendly matches this summer. The group led by Christian Gourcuff, who arrived this summer, has a rather mixed record: two victories against USM Alger (1-0) and SCO Angers (2-0), one draw against Laval (1-1), and two defeats against Guingamp (1-2) and Swansea (0-1).
Rennes is expected to play at the Allianz Riviera with a 4-4-2 formation, the scheme favored by Christian Gourcuff.
The Absentees
On the Nice side, the absences of Valentin Eysseric, Olivier Boscagli, Kevin Gomis (suspended), Ricardo, Benitez, Le Marchand, Le Bihan, and Lloris (injured) are regrettable.
The Rennais will have to do without Paul-Georges Ntep, Pedro Henrique, Habib Habibou, and Edson Mexer (injured)
The Nice Squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Hassen.
Defenders: Baysse, Bodmer, Dalbert, Rafetraniaina, Sarr, Souquet.
Midfielders: Cyprien, Koziello, Lusamba, Marcel, Seri, Vercauteren, Walter.
Forwards: Bosetti, Donis, Plea.
The Rennes Squad
Goalkeepers: Benoît Costil and Abdoulaye Diallo.
Defenders: Pedro Mendes, Steven Moreira, Ramy Bensebaini, Sylvain Armand, Ludovic Baal and Romain Danzé.
Midfielders: Gelson Fernandes, Clément Chantôme, Kamil Grosicki, Yacouba Sylla, Benjamin André and Yoann Gourcuff.
Forwards: Kermit Erasmus, Wesley Saïd, Giovanni Sio and Adama Diakhaby.
The Referee
For the season’s first match, Anthony Gautier will referee the game. The 38-year-old referee will be assisted on the sidelines by Mickaël Annonier and Philippe Jeanne. He last officiated a Gym game on April 30 during an away game at Nantes.
