Ultra-dominated in the game by PSG on Wednesday at the Parc (2-1), OGC Nice nevertheless showed an interesting defensive presence. Not enough, however, to prevent Pastore and company from standing out.
On Saturday at 7 p.m., the Eagles host newly promoted Dijon at the Stade du Ray. A match that promises to be less easy than it appears.
Hosting a newly promoted team is never easy, despite appearances. Against Ajaccio (3-0) last week, Eric Roy’s men had to wait 45 minutes to find the opening… via a penalty.
While the Corsicans have since fallen to the bottom of the rankings, Dijon is proving to be rather resilient. Since the start of the season, Patrice Carteron’s men have been surprising.
Currently tenth in Ligue 1, the Burgundians have not conceded a single draw. They are the only team that can boast about this.
Dijon’s 19th-ranked defense, a boon?
The teammates of former Nice player Cédric Varrault, however, hold the 19th-ranked defense in the championship (13 goals conceded). Good news for OGC Nice, which is facing an offensive confidence crisis?
If we consider the quality of the attackers at Eric Roy’s disposal, yes. However, the reality on the field is quite different. The Gym has scored only six goals since the start of the season, as many as their opponent.
Nice will be without their top scorer
Furthermore, Nice’s top scorer is Fabian Monzon (three goals). A defender… whose goals have all been scored via penalties! But, bad luck for Nice: he will be suspended tomorrow night after his exclusion in Paris.
Didier Digard’s teammates will need to show realism and imagination to overcome the valiant newly promoted team from Dijon.
The Nice squad facing Dijon:
Ospina, Veronese – Civelli, Clerc, K. Coulibaly, K. Gomis, Mabiala, Pejcinovic – Abriel, Diakité, Digard, Faé, Hellebuyck, Mounier, Meriem – Dja Dje-Dje, Guié-Guié, Mouloungui, Pentecôte.
