July 9 – August 9. In one month, the French Ligue 1 championship for the 2008-2009 season will begin. On August 9, the Aiglons will be in Normandy facing a newly promoted team. Last year, they lost 1-0 in the final minutes. It was in Caen. This year, it’s in Le Havre. The Aiglons of Frédéric Antonetti have 30 days left to perfect their condition with the assistance of fitness coach Nicolas Dyon. The players are sweating, suffering, and also learning to get to know each other. Emerse Faé, Loïc Rémy, Chaouki Ben Saada, Kafou Coulibaly have joined the Côte d’Azur this summer. We can also add the hopefuls Julien Berthomier, Christopher Pastor, Adrien Faviana, and Maxime Montay. They need to experience the atmosphere of the professional group to not be disturbed if Frédéric Antonetti calls on them during the year. Argentine Rodrigo Galante and the two young Ghanaians Kuansah and Adu have to convince the coach that they are fit to join a French Ligue 1 team.
The officials and the coach have the support of the fans, pleased with the last period and its sporting and human management. This trust was born in the winter of 2007. The team was struggling and there were growing conflicts between shareholders and technicians. The decision to maintain stability by keeping President Maurice Cohen and coach Frédéric Antonetti was the right one. The summer 2007 recruitment was also smart, with the arrivals of Vincent Hognon, David Hellebuyck, Habib Bamogo, and then Gérald Cid, Cyril Jeunechamp, and Alaeddine Yahia. In general, it can be considered as successful. With hindsight, it’s easier to judge. Ten days after the start of the season, it’s hard to assess. Will Loïc Rémy, Emerse Faé be able to make the fans forget Ederson and Florent Balmont? Will Lionel Létizi perform as well as Hugo Lloris who left for Lyon? Will Chaouki Ben Saada and Kafou Coulibaly acclimate to the level of Ligue 1? What is the level of David Ospina, a young Colombian goalkeeper who will sign on Wednesday?
It’s also hard not to mention the case of Baky Koné. The Ivorian pocket striker has started a standoff with the Côte d’Azur officials to join Olympique de Marseille. What will be the outcome of this confrontation? Will it be a scenario like Rod Fanni or rather like Bafe Gomis? An answer is imminent… A striker would replace him. Some names are being whispered: Frédéric Piquionne, Carlos Tenorio, Aruna Dindane. The departure of Nice’s top scorer would certainly mark the end of a cycle. Frédéric Antonetti freely admits this in interviews. With his head on his shoulders, he acknowledges that it is impossible for the Gym to keep its ‘Champions League’ players, such as Lloris, Ederson, Balmont, and Koné. Roger Ricort, in agreement with the coach, chose to bet on youth, with Emerse Faé, at the mature age of 24, being the oldest recruit. They took a risk by betting on Loïc Rémy at a price that may seem high (8 million) for a player with only 22 Ligue 1 matches under his belt.
Bets, risks, few certainties. We had the privilege of following the beginning of the transfer market. We saw a good atmosphere, motivated players, and a positive mentality. Emerse Faé is the perfect example. Loïc Rémy arrived determined but aware of the effort needed. Good spirit. These players will have the heavy task of keeping OGC Nice at a good level, at least in Ligue 1. They will have the honor of being the first to step on the pitch of the Grand Stade de Nice.
