A European 5th in Ligue 1 visiting a 16th of the same ranking, there’s reason to “get anxious” at a Stade du Ray that will host, this Sunday at 5 PM, a PSG in full success as demonstrated by their results in the championship and in the European Cup. Thus, the impossible must not be a Nice trait for the eaglets who might even pay with a relegation spot if defeated by the Parisians.
Civelli and Coulibaly suspended, Cantareil and Mabiala ailing, Eric Roy will still be able to count on a relatively complete squad with even a crucial choice in attack, with two positions for three forwards between Ljuboja, Bellion, and Mouloungui. A starting Nice eleven keen to maintain the momentum of five victories over the past five years against Parisians who have not won on Nice soil since the 2003/04 season (1-2).
While defeat is not forbidden for Nice, it is highly discouraged because Auxerre (17th), who are one spot behind Nice, host the last-placed Arles Avignon, while Monaco (18th) and Lens (19th), the first two in the relegation zones two points behind Nice, go to Brest (10th) for the first and host Sochaux (13th) for the second. The red zone is indeed in sight, and the three points against Paris could make the next trip less delicate to Saint-Etienne to face the Stéphanois who are once again dreaming of Europe.
On the Parisian side, it is with certain confidence, indeed a certain confidence, that Antoine Kombouaré’s men will transition from the polar cold of Belarus to the milder temperatures of the French Riviera. A solid fifth in the standings three points ahead of Saint-Etienne, they look above, with Olympique de Marseille just one point ahead, followed by Rennes at +2, and Lyon at +3 (with one more game). Here too, defeats for some combined with a good Parisian result could offer a runner-up spot to the leader Lille.
Each will therefore pursue their quest this Sunday at the Ray, and there is little doubt that the eaglets know what remains to be done to distance themselves from this zone, which admittedly bears one of their favorite colors but has never truly succeeded at the red and black home.
ABOUT THE MATCH
The referees
The LFP has designated the referees for the Nice vs. Paris SG match on Sunday, February 20th (24th day of Ligue 1). Lionel Jaffredo will officiate with the whistle, assisted by Philippe Tugdual and Didier Martin. The fourth referee will be Johan Hamel.
Minute of silence
OGC Nice has suffered the immense pain of losing Jean-Pierre Gaglio, Treasurer of the OGC Nice Association, and a long-time lover of the Gym, who passed away from a sudden internal hemorrhage. A minute of silence will be observed in his memory on Sunday.
Ljubo and Baga at 200
The two OGC Nice strikers Danijel Ljuboja and Mamadou Bagayoko, aged 32 and 31 respectively, have something in common: both have just reached the symbolic milestone of 200 matches among the elite.
Support for Alicia Fougeray
A tough blow for the OGC Nice women’s team! Alicia Fougeray, famous for her freestyle talents (code name: “Alice from Nice”), sustained a severe injury on February 6th during the Mediterranean Cup against Aix-en-Provence. Operated on for an open fracture of the tibia, the young 17-year-old player will not play again this season. The entire club wishes her a speedy recovery.
The best enemies in the world
The historic rivalry between OGC Nice and Cavigal is over! Or at least, it is on the way to being so: the two entities should finalize a convention focusing on training and pre-training next week. The goal: reveals Eric Dellacasa, Deputy General Manager of OGC Nice. Young “Cavi” players will be able to join the sport-study section opened by the Gym at the Parc Impérial as early as middle school. And why not, later, join the red and black training center…
Kick-off
The former Aiglons striker, Liazid Sandjak, is present tonight at the Stade du Ray. He is about to deliver the ceremonial kick-off for the Nice-PSG match.
