Four days after their resounding 6-1 victory against Bordeaux, a major challenge awaits OGC Nice tonight. The team from Nice travels to Saint-Etienne’s field to face the Greens, who are second in the championship with five wins from the first seven rounds.
On Wednesday evening, Nice enjoyed a dream match at home. Almost everything worked in their offensive play, especially in the second half, where the team reveled in having a numerical advantage. However, the Nice players must quickly move on and forget this dazzling victory to focus on the future. The future starts tonight in Saint-Etienne at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium, which has yet to witness a loss for the home team this season.
Despite the heavy criticism for their recruitment, Christophe Galtier’s team has managed to find a new hero at the end of the transfer window: Robert Beric. The Slovenian has scored two goals in four appearances, both at home. A player the Nice defenders will need to watch closely, especially since the defense from the Côte d’Azur has some payback to seek. “Last year, we conceded five there, and that’s something everyone still struggles with,” summarizes Mathieu Bodmer.
Seriousness and Ambitions
While the players from Nice want to be cautious before this dangerous away game, they are not exactly approaching it timidly. ASSE is performing well, certainly, but the Gym has just achieved two convincing victories, which provides some confidence. The impressive record of the team from Rhône-Alpes shouldn’t hide their defensive weaknesses. The Eagles will need to be able to capitalize on their opponents’ weak points tonight. The mission may prove even more complicated as Le Bihan’s participation is uncertain.
In any case, the match promises to be spectacular. Except for the game against Guingamp, Nice has always managed to produce quality play this season. A philosophy that aligns with the Greens’ more attack-oriented approach this year. With the return of Maxime Le Marchand in defense, OGC Nice can rely on rediscovered stability at the back for tonight and upcoming matches. This is encouraging for Claude Puel, who never tires of the attractive play his men have been offering recently: “I hope it will be an exciting match that we will enjoy playing, but we won’t approach it without ambitions…”
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
