This Wednesday, OGC Nice faces RC Strasbourg in the semi-finals of the French Cup. After a more than disappointing season, the Gym has the opportunity to make their supporters dream one last time by taking them to the Stade de France. All the info about this pre-match shock is available here.
Where does this RCSA – OGC Nice match fit into the Aiglons’ season? Yes, the priority at the end of the season is and will remain staying in Ligue 1 – where Claude Puel’s men secured a valuable point on the field of LOSC (0-1) – but a French Cup semi-final is never just another match. Because Nice doesn’t play them every day. Because Nice is just ninety minutes away from returning to the Stade de France. Because Nice has the chance to write a new chapter in its history, to salvage a more than disappointing campaign these past months. “We have a semi-final to play and that’s it, I’m not questioning how this season is perceived by the supporters or ourselves. We are just focused on our match and the will to advance,” says Puel in a press conference. The red and black tactician reiterated the importance of taking each match one at a time, without sacrificing another.
For this trip to Alsace, OGC Nice will compete in the 14th French Cup semi-final in its history. So far, the Aiglons have qualified for the grand final five times. After beating Saint-Étienne, Nantes, Montpellier, and Lorient, Strasbourg stands as the last hurdle on the Gym’s road to achieve such a feat again. The challenge awaiting Claude Puel’s men is immense. Two weeks later, the Nice team returns to Meinau with the ambition to do better. In the championship, Morgan Sanson and his team were swept away by a more effective RCSA on all fronts. “It’s a different match, we’ve moved on,” affirms Nice’s coach. It’s crucial not to repeat that performance this week (kick-off this Wednesday at 9 PM).
Dupé preferred over Diouf?
For this encounter, Claude Puel can breathe a sigh of relief. If his midfield was particularly depleted last weekend at Lille, the coach of OGC Nice will be able to rely on the returns from suspension of Hicham Boudaoui and Morgan Sanson. In their absence, a pairing of Salis Abdul Samed and Tanguy Ndombele was prominent in the Nice midfield. Often troubled by physical issues this season, the former OL player managed to play almost the entire match before being substituted in the final moments. “He is an example for other players, in his journey, in everything he has been through. When I arrived at the club, he was still far from being able to play parts of matches,” assures the red and black coach about his midfielder.
No improvement is seen concerning Dante. Already absent last weekend, the Aiglons’ captain will again be unavailable for this semi-final, alongside his defensive teammates, Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem. Finally, Claude Puel provided a small hint about the identity of his goalkeeper for this match. “Whether it’s Max (Dupé) or Yehvann (Diouf), both have participated in this journey,” analyzes the Côte d’Azur coach, leaving a little suspense on this topic. This Tuesday, Maxime Dupé was present in front of the media. “Exiting the team after the match against Paris FC was quite difficult. But I didn’t give up, and maybe that’s why I might play tomorrow,” reveals the goalkeeper. He had lost his spot after his competitor’s excellent performance against Lorient in the previous French Cup round. A few weeks later, the roles are expected to reverse. As his contract ends, the usual backup may be playing his last match in Nice’s colors.
On the opposing side, RCSA has made the French Cup one of its major objectives for the end of the season. The Alsatian club is also competing in the Conference League, where it has reached the same stage of the competition. The defeat of Gary O’Neil’s men this weekend against Rennes (0-3) confirmed that Strasbourg – which rotated a good part of its lineup for this game – has prioritized the other two competitions where the team is still in contention over Ligue 1. Amidst a suspenseful season finale, Racing Club de Strasbourg is ambitious and dreams of the Stade de France as well.
Probable line-ups:
RCSA: Penders – Ouattara, Omobamidele, Doukouré (C), Chilwell – El-Mourabet, Barco – Moreira, Nanasi, Godo – Enciso (or Emegha)
OGC Nice: Dupé – Clauss, Mendy, Oppong, Bah, Bard – Sanson (C), Boudaoui, Ndombele – Cho, Wahi
