After defeating a lackluster Bordeaux last Saturday (3-0), OGC Nice has moved away from the relegation zone. This is promising ahead of facing the bottom of Ligue 1, Nancy, on its synthetic pitch at Marcel-Picot. Against a struggling team, the Eagles will need to show determination given the playing conditions if they want to start a winning streak.
Undeniably, OGC Nice was reinvigorated by its large victory against the Girondins de Bordeaux last Saturday (3-0).
In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the Eagles showed promising gameplay.
Finally offensively effective, they quickly disrupted a decimated and completely inert Bordeaux defense.
Synthetic Pitch Isn’t Nice
Therefore, the prospect of starting a series this weekend in Nancy seems credible. But the Marcel-Picot stadium has a synthetic pitch, a significant factor for any respectable professional coach.
According to Nice-Matin, the Azurean players trained on the Francs Archers’ field yesterday. Their coach, Éric Roy, is cautious about this surface, on which “the joints are often strained.” Thirteenth in Ligue 1, OGC Nice cannot afford mistakes against Jean Fernandez’s men, who are last in Ligue 1.
Dedication is Required
David Hellebuyck’s teammates, who scored last Saturday, will have to disregard the less than ideal playing conditions they will face on Saturday.
The fear of the synthetic pitch would be detrimental to their performance and might lead to a revival for the Lorrains, who have not yet won a game this season. Against Bordeaux, Nice was able to be opportunistic. The Reds and Blacks just have to do it again.
The Nice Squad:
R. Fernandez, Ospina — Civelli, F. Clerc, Mabiala, Monzon, Pejcinovic — Abriel, K. Coulibaly, Diakité, Digard, Meriem, Palun — Dja Djedje, Guié-Guié, Mouloungui, Mounier, Pentecôte.
