While the start of the season for the “sang et or” (blood and gold) wasn’t the brightest and Guy Roux had just stepped down as coach, a new face was shown by Lens players on Wednesday evening against Young Boys from Bern, who literally exploded at Bollaert (5-1), sending the northerners to join Rennes, Sochaux, Bordeaux, and Toulouse in the UEFA Cup.
Jean Pierre Papin, the new Lens coach, seems to have given a new impetus to a team that hasn’t yet achieved a single victory in Ligue 1, with only four matches played (lost to Bordeaux 1-0, drew with PSG and Valenciennes at Lens 0-0, lost at Strasbourg 2-1). Thus, beware of the resurgence of form of Gervais Martel’s men, who pulled off the perfect heist last year at the Ray by winning 2-1. With a quality squad featuring players such as Monterrubio, Sablé, Kovacevic, and Runje, RC Lens travels to Nice with the firm intention of achieving their first successful operation in the championship.
For the Nice side, the week was close to the clouds and that seventh heaven the “Aiglons” reached in the Velodrome arena. Frédéric Antonetti should not have too many surprises when setting up his starting eleven and can even count on a new recruit in the person of Ozkwo Nduka Morrisson, who has just signed a one-year contract with the club. This young Nigerian, who played in Apam’s former club, is also part of the national under-20 selection of his country. It will be a matter of continuing the beautiful run initiated on Wednesday in Marseille to capitalize on a maximum number of points and consolidate the necessary confidence to reproduce the same type of performance as against Olympique de Marseille. This reference match should be a solid working base for coach Antonetti who silenced some critics who began to harshly criticize his work. In terms of injuries, Hugo Lloris trained with a knee bandage on his left knee (perhaps a sequel to the collision with Moussilou) and Abardonado seems to be better, it’s almost questionable if the injury that kept him away from the last derby wasn’t a tad diplomatic.
But while the spectacle will be on the pitch on Sunday, it would be wise to keep an eye on the stands because while many Nice fans made the short trip to Marseille, a full audience will thank their “Aiglons” for this fine performance, and no doubt, BSN and others will have some pleasant surprises to offer.
The referees for the OGC Nice – RC Lens match will be Mr. Hervé Piccirillo officiating with assistance from Messrs. Thoison and Benech.
As you can understand, Sunday night, it’s at the Ray stadium that you’ll want to be if you’re a football fan, but not only!
TICKET INFO
For this match, tickets will be on sale from Monday, August 27th at all our remote points of sale throughout France:
– Carrefour, Fnac, Géant, Auchan, Virgin, Palais Nikaia, Galeries Lafayette Cap 3000 stores
– Official shop on Rue Lépante and Supporters Club
– Post at Cagnes Sur Mer, av de la Serre
– By phone: 0892 692 192 (€0.34/min) or 0892 390 100 (€0.34/min)
– Online: [carrefourspectacles.com](http://www.carrefourspectacles.com)
[ticketnet.fr](http://www.ticketnet.fr)
– At the stadium on Saturday, September 1st from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday 2nd from 10 a.m.
Prices:
Presidential: €33
Honors: €20
First South: €17
First North: Visitor support
Second Upper: €12
Second Lower: €8
General Admission: sold out (season ticket holders)
Half price for children under 12
Free for children under 8
