This Saturday, OGC Nice travels to Strasbourg’s field for the 28th day of Ligue 1. As the championship enters its final stages, this trip to Alsace is already crucial for the Gym in the race for survival. Discover all the pre-match information about this encounter here.
OGC Nice is launching its final sprint! After a two-week break, Claude Puel’s men will return to the Ligue 1 fields for this trip to Meinau, against RC Strasbourg (kick-off scheduled at 19h). It’s also an opportunity for the Gym to bounce back after the heavy defeat at home nearly two weeks ago against Paris Saint-Germain (0-4). The Aiglons are no longer advancing in the race for survival. They are now under threat from their main competitors. AJ Auxerre has narrowed the gap and is only five points behind with a better momentum than the Niçois. There are still 21 points left to be distributed in the championship, and nothing is decided yet! Nice’s future in the top tier of French football remains uncertain.
This RCSA – OGC Nice match will also take place in a particular context. After this confrontation, the two teams will meet again in less than twenty days – still at the Meinau – for a semi-final confrontation in the Coupe de France. One of these two clubs will have the chance to play on the pitch of the Stade de France at the end of May. Saturday’s match will almost be a dress rehearsal in advance. In the first leg, the two teams parted amicably, after a draw at the Allianz Riviera (1-1). This fixture marked Claude Puel’s big return to Ligue 1 and the first goal in the red and black colors of winter recruit, Elye Wahi. Three months later, the former Montpellier striker has added three more goals to his personal tally in the championship.
An almost complete squad
Managing with numerous injuries has become a habit for Claude Puel. Ironically, the coach of OGC Nice will be able to count on almost his entire squad to face Strasbourg this weekend. Only Moïse Bombito and Youssouf Ndayishimiye will be absent. The former is continuing his rehabilitation, while the latter will be serving the first of his two-match suspension. Before the break, the Burundian international had logically received a red card during the defeat against PSG for a tackle much too high on Kang-In Lee‘s leg.
In defense, Peprah Oppong remains uncertain. The young Aiglon suffered a physical setback during the break while representing his national team, Ghana. A final assessment regarding his potential participation in this Alsatian trip will take place this Friday. Finally, in terms of good news, this fixture could mark the return of Mohamed Abdelmonem to the azure squad. Injured with a cruciate ligament rupture last year, the OGC Nice defender returned to the field with Egypt during the break. It’s a valuable reinforcement to secure much-needed survival on the French Riviera.
Opposite, Strasbourg occupies the 8th position in L1, with a 13-point lead over Nice. Before entering this final stretch, the RCSA remains in contention in three competitions: Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Conference League. In the championship, the Alsatians are still vying for European spots. The club experienced a coaching change mid-season, with Liam Rosenior leaving for Chelsea and Gary O’Neil succeeding him. For the end of the season, Diego Moreira’s teammates will also have to cope without this season’s L1 revelation, Joaquin Panichelli. The current top scorer of the championship suffered a cruciate ligament rupture during training with his team, Argentina. His season ends prematurely, and his World Cup dreams are dashed.
Probable line-ups:
RCSA: Penders – Doué, Doukouré (C), Omobamidele, Hogsberg – El Mourabet, Barco – Godo, Nanasi, Enciso – Fofana
OGC Nice: Diouf – Mendy, Dante (C), Bah – Clauss, Boudaoui, Sanson, Bard – Cho, Wahi, Diop.
