Conquerors of Gym on the opening day of the season, the Reims team meets the Eagles in Champagne territory this evening (8 PM). Between these two historic clubs, the duel promises to be balanced.
The Nice team has been warned. This season, Reims can pose problems for any team. The Champenois already proved it in the first leg by winning at Allianz to kick off the championship (0-1).
Since then, the promoted team has defended its rank sparingly. After a thunderous start to the season (victories over Nice and Lyon), David Guion’s men experienced a delicate adaptation phase before finding their stride.
Thus, the Eagles are set to challenge a confident Red and White squad, who know how to use their solidarity to stay strong and achieve good results. The Marne team has only lost once in the last seven Ligue 1 matches (against Toulouse, 0-1) and remains undefeated in the last five matches across all competitions.
Currently 10th, the Rémois are 3 points behind the Eagles and seem to be quietly moving towards maintaining their position. With the 4th best defense, Cafaro and his teammates compensate for their lack of offensive output (16 goals, 19th attack) with consistent solidity in their half of the field.
They have often relied on this strength to resist the big names of the championship, as evidenced by their draw at Lyon’s pitch in the previous round (1-1). This point sharing is not an exception, as with 9 draws since the start of the season, Reims is the most resilient team in Ligue 1 alongside Caen.
Comfortable away, Patrick Vieira’s group will attempt to string together a third match without defeat against a team deprived of its coach, who is suspended.
THE ABSENTEES
On the Reims side, South Korean striker Hyun-jun Suk has not fully recovered from his hamstring injury. He is in a recovery phase and has therefore not been included in the squad. Moussa Doumbia (shoulder) is also absent.
Compared to the derby held Wednesday at the Louis-II stadium (1-1), Patrick Vieira only records the return from suspension of Christophe Hérelle. Conversely, Ihsan Sacko is suspended following his red card received in the derby. Srarfi, Lees-Melou, Myziane, Cardinale, Le Bihan, and Lloris are still injured.
THE REIMS SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Carrasso, Mendy
Defenders: Engels, Konan, Abdelhamid, Disasi, Fontaine, Foket
Midfielders: Romao, Chavalerin, M. Martin, H. Camara, Dingomé, Cafaro, Mbemba
Forwards: Chavarria, Oudin, Ojo, Dia
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Benitez, Clémentia
Defenders: Burner, Atal, Jallet, Hérelle, Dante, Sarr, Coly, Pelmard
Midfielders: Walter, Cyprien, Tameze, Makengo, Danilo
Forwards: Saint-Maximin, Ganago, Sylvestre
THE REFEREE
The referee for the match will be Olivier Thual. He will be assisted by Matthieu Lombard and Guillaume Debart.
