Four days after the release of the Ligue 1 – Conforama 2017-18 schedule (next Thursday, 15th), the players are expected to return to the training center for their back-to-school session (June 19th).
Then, after about ten days of work on the Côte d’Azur, the Nice team will head to Ain for the fifth consecutive year. Lucien Favre’s group will settle in Divonne-les-Bains from July 1st to 8th.
Two friendly matches against Swiss teams will frame the intensive training session awaiting Dante and his teammates. They are expected to play their first match on July 1st against FC Nyon*, a 3rd division club, before concluding their stay by hosting Servette of Geneva (on July 7th in Divonne). Lucien Favre’s former club (coach from 2000 to 2002) reached the podium of the Challenge League (2nd division) last season.
After a short week in Nice, the Aiglons will reach a new level. Indeed, on July 13th, they are expected to travel to Belgium to challenge Gent*, who finished 3rd in the Jupiler Pro League and reached the round of 16 in the Europa League in 2016-17.
The next day, OGC Nice will discover the name of their first official opponent during the draw for the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League.
A European cup atmosphere will prevail during the 4th friendly match, as Lucien Favre’s men will head to Prague on July 16th to continue their progression against Slavia, the Czech Republic champion.
Finally, while the location and name of the opponent have yet to be determined, the Azuréens will conclude their preparation with a final friendly match on July 19th. They will then start the competition in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League (first leg on July 25 or 26, return leg on August 1 or 2), before the championship resumes on the weekend of August 4-5-6.
