Defeated this week by Rennes (1-2), the Aiglons must respond this Saturday evening in Caen, who are 18th and first in the relegation zone. In a “fear” match, Nice, who have not won in six weeks, have no choice. Accumulating points has become imperative.
Concern has returned. OGC Nice is in a “very bad patch.” Claude Puel admitted this on Wednesday night after the defeat against Rennes. Five matches without a win, one draw, and four defeats, that is one point out of a possible fifteen. The Aiglons, once in the top half of the table, are gradually slipping. Before this 17th day, Claude Puel’s team is 14th with only a four-point lead over the first relegated, the night’s adversary, Caen.
In Normandy, OGC Nice will be able to count on the return of one of its key players, Mathieu Bodmer. Injured in the ribs five weeks ago, the solid Nice defender should benefit a defense lacking reference, as seen in the first goal conceded on Wednesday against Rennes. Another positive, the return to form of Eric Bauthรฉac and Valentin Eysseric. This Saturday, the entire red and black squad must show the character displayed in Paris (defeat 1-0) to return from Caen with points.
“I hope my group is seeking revenge, that they are hungry. Both teams will want to battle it out and seek the success that eludes us. It’s character and personality that will make the difference,” emphasized Claude Puel during the traditional press conference.
On the Caen side, things are hardly better. Heavily beaten this Wednesday in Guingamp (5-1), Patrice Garande’s men have not won in the championship since October 25 and the reception of Lorient (2-1). That is the only home victory this season. The Normans can count on their favorite striker, Mathieu Duhamel, who has scored five goals since the beginning of the season. The objective of Stade Malherbe: victory to get out of the red zone.
“We’re facing a direct competitor, we need to take points. If we don’t take three points this weekend, it can become difficult for us. I don’t think there’s urgency yet. We need to raise our level of play,” explained Nampalys Mendy to the press.
To win, or at least not to lose, they will have to be consistent and effective throughout a match and not just for ten minutes like against Rennes or sixty in Paris. The will to play against Lyon and Paris, the uprising at the end of last Wednesday’s match. All these ingredients must help the Aiglons hold their heads up and look upwards, rather than downwards.
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