After two league outings, Nice has shown a very attractive face and an offensive-oriented game. A satisfaction in terms of entertainment that did not allow the team to take more than a single point out of a possible six.
The early season Nice is undeniably extremely appealing. With a polished game and offensive efficiency, the team produces matches rich in goals. Especially since defensively, the lapses also allow Nice’s opponents to be prolific. If the 2-1 defeat against Monaco in the league opener was not alarming as game events were unfavorable, the one against Troyes last week leaves a much more bitter taste. Easily leading 3-1, the aiglons completely fell apart in the second half despite having a numerical advantage from the half-hour mark. Nothing to tense Claude Puel who expects a strong reaction from his group: “We were too complacent, we lost focus, positioning, and discipline. The anger from the poor management of this match must be the driving force to correct and move on to the next stage.”
A clash of styles
Quietly, SMCaen has perfectly launched its season. 6 points taken in two matches and no goals conceded: for Patrice Garande’s men, all is well. Victors against OM and Toulouse, the Normans did not face easy opposition. They managed to resist against Batshuayi or Ben Yedder, strikers who will surely keep Ligue 1 lively this season just like Nice’s offensive trio Pléa-Germain-Ben Arfa. It is precisely against these three that Caen’s defense will have to hold. Not an easy task given their recent performances. Maxime Le Marchand has a certain idea of the match’s scenario: “They will play on the counter-attack and since we like to have possession, we will need to be vigilant.” To recall last week’s match for the new Nice defender is just a step away: “like Troyes, it’s a team that clings on and doesn’t let go, we must expect a tough match.” It’s up to Puel’s men to create a different scenario, to finally secure a victory.
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