This Saturday, OGC Nice travels to face Toulouse Football Club in the 18th round of Ligue 1. Following their first victory in the league since mid-October, the Aiglons have no choice: they need a win to move up the rankings. All the pre-match information for this encounter can be found here.
OGC Nice continues its long and arduous climb! For the third episode of the Claude Puel era, the Aiglons head to Toulouse, where they will challenge the Violets this Saturday at the Stadium. For the Gym, it’s finally about finding the path to victory in Ligue 1. The Niçois have not won a single league match in nearly three months, and a win against LOSC (2-0). Since then, the Gym has not advanced, although there have been improvements since the tactician took over the club. More united, more combative, more enterprising, the teammates of Melvin Bard managed to draw with Strasbourg (1-1) in their last match after a strong team performance.
Since then, the Aiglons have secured their qualification for the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France after narrowly beating FC Nantes following a decisive penalty shootout where Maxime Dupé donned the hero’s mantle. In the next round, OGC Nice will host, for the first time this year in the competition, the Ligue 2 team, Montpellier HSC. Before that, Claude Puel’s players must focus on Ligue 1 and not forget that in August, Toulouse managed a late heist at Allianz Riviera. A last-minute goal by Djibril Sidibé dashed the red and black hopes at the league opener.
Some returns, but still a depleted squad
It never rains but it pours! Not spared since his return to OGC Nice, Claude Puel will once again have to manage without part of his squad. Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moïse Bombito, Mohamed-Ali Cho are injured. As is Nice’s captain, Dante, although the Brazilian’s return to competition is approaching, as he is in the final months of his professional career before retiring at the end of the season. Finally, Antoine Mendy and Yehvann Diouf will play the Africa Cup of Nations final this Sunday with Senegal. Eliminated earlier in the competition, Hicham Boudaoui and Ali Abdi are expected to return to the Azurean group.
Returning from injury, Gabin Bernardeau, Isak Jansson, and Peprah Oppong are uncertain. A decision on their presence in Toulouse should be made this Friday. The situation is slightly similar for Sofiane Diop. Injured in the ankle at Nantes last Sunday, the sole scorer of the match had to relinquish his place prematurely at half-time. If the Moroccan is included in the group, he is not expected to start as a regular. Lastly, young Bernard Nguene is also expected not to travel. The young forward is on the way out and is set to join Standard Liège in the coming hours.
On the opposing side, Toulouse holds the 8th position in Ligue 1. The Violets dream of a return to the European Cup and are trying to hang on to the right bandwagon. The men of Carles Martinez are having a relatively quiet season. However, the teammates of Yann Gboho recently suffered a heavy defeat in Ligue 1, at the hands of the league leader, RC Lens (0-3). A match that the Toulouse striker Emersonn did not finish, excluded in the first period of the encounter. Against Nice, the Brazilian will serve the second of his three-match suspension.
Probable line-ups:
Toulouse: Restes – McKenzie, Cresswell, Koumbassa – Sidibé, Diop, Vossah, Donnum – Gboho, Magri, Hidalgo
Nice: Dupé – Clauss, Bah, Mantsounga, Bard – Sanson, Vanhoutte (or Boudaoui), Ndombele – Louchet, Wahi, Gouveia.
