A Back-to-School… in the Rain for the Aiglons.
It was under a fine rain that the Reds and Blacks returned to the fields yesterday at Charles-Ehrmann Sports Park. The afternoon’s agenda included jogging, ball dribbling, juggling, and a series of stretches to perfect the training. The team was not at full strength. Lionel Letizi was attending his coaching certification. Loïc Rémy, David Ospina, and the two new recruits, Quartey and Poté, were given rest following international matches. As for Olivier Echouafni, a contract extension offer was made, with the possibility of joining the Azurean staff afterwards. His response is expected within 48 hours.
Nevertheless, the team’s key players were present: Hellebuyck, Rool, Sablé, and Ben Saada. Seven new players from the training center also participated in the session. The former coach from Clermont wishes to foster this interaction between young players and professionals. “One of my goals this year is to create an ‘elite group’, which will serve as an intermediary between the professional group and the CFA,” he explains. He will be responsible for accelerating and facilitating the transition between the amateur and professional groups.
This was also an opportunity to unveil the new star for the 2009/2010 season: the ball. Indeed, the league has chosen a unique ball for all clubs and players in order to level the playing field.
“The counters are reset”
It’s a fresh start, a new season that is about to begin for Nice. “It’s back to school, we’re getting to know each other, we’ll get into the details gradually, eventually setting a precise framework of play with discipline and respect,” replies Didier Ollé-Nicolle. The successor to Frédéric Antonetti knows what he wants: a healthy lifestyle and impeccable mentality for his players. As for the coming days, he simply wishes to fine-tune his squad. Something he cannot do until the “Mounier case” is resolved. Anthony Mounier, the young player from Olympique Lyonnais (21 years old), is at the center of a tug-of-war between the Lyon and Nice directors. Indeed, the Lyonnais agree to transfer Anthony Mounier on the condition that Loïc Rémy returns to OL. The latter, considered “non-transferable” by the Nice management team, makes the negotiations rather tumultuous between the two clubs. To be continued!
Over the next few days, OGC Nice will depart for Albertville, where the players will start a physical preparation camp. Friendly matches are also planned against Arles, Clermont, Lens, Toulouse, and Olympique Lyonnais.
The sky was heavily clouded for this first training session of OGC Nice, hoping it will be clearer for their first match of the season on August 8 against Saint Etienne at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.
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