OGC Nice travels tomorrow at 5 p.m. to Matmut Atlantique to face Girondins de Bordeaux. A test for Patrick Vieira’s men against a Bordeaux side looking for revenge after their Europa League defeat on Thursday (2-1).
Two points separate OGC Nice from the first relegation spot, Nantes, in 19th place. Paradoxically, the club from the French Riviera is only 3 points away from their weekend opponent, Bordeaux (8th). This small margin between the two parts of the Ligue 1 table highlights the importance of this match. Dante’s teammates could enter the top 10 for the first time this season with a win.
Thus, the Gym returns to the field a week after the defeat at home against Olympique de Marseille. Meanwhile, the Girondins are coming back from a long 3,500-kilometer journey on Thursday and a (narrow) defeat in Saint Petersburg (2-1) in the Europa League. A long trip that could weigh on their legs tomorrow. “It was a long journey for them, but I don’t think it will play a role. We are at the start of the season, the players are still fresh,” says the coach from the Riviera, Patrick Vieira. “It’s a very well-organized team, very difficult to play against. They counter very quickly, we must not give them space and need to be very smart with defensive positioning,” he continues.
Bordeaux, “a tough opponent”
The Bordeaux club is sitting in 8th place in the championship standings, 5 points away from third place (Montpellier) and 3 points ahead of the Aiglons (14th). Aside from the slip-up during the 1st matchday (a defeat against Strasbourg 0-2), Jimmy Briand’s teammates have not lost again. “They are stronger at home. They have particularly good attackers. We need to be present. We are going there to win,” emphasizes Gym’s goalkeeper, Walter Benitez. Indeed, the attackers from the southwest are rather inspired with 14 goals scored. The Aiglons have scored almost twice fewer goals than their opponent for tomorrow (7). On the other hand, both teams are equal on defense. Both have conceded a lot of goals, 14 in 10 matches. “We will have chances. It’s up to our attackers to capitalize on them,” the Argentine goalkeeper specifies.
Even though the championship is still long, this match against Bordeaux can mark a real turning point in Nice’s season. Mario Balotelli and his teammates have the opportunity to come closer or even break into the top 10 for the first time this year. Otherwise, OGC Nice will have to keep an eye on those behind them.
Pierre Ferrand
