(editor’s note) Tonight, the Gym hosts Saint-Etienne for a three-point match. Despite some promising gameplay, the team from Nice is hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. Therefore, a victory is a must against an opponent that is currently in good form. This would confirm the team’s value, improve their standings, and finally, boost their morale.
However, optimism is the order of the day, as demonstrated by this contribution from Xavier Garcia.
From an arithmetic point of view, this adage from The Leopard by Lampedusa could sum up the start of the season for OGC Nice under Claude Puel. But the gameplay and the adaptation of new recruits give supporters hope for brighter futures.
If one calculated the average position of OGC Nice since Frédéric Antonetti’s departure in 2009, the result would likely be close to the 16th place currently occupied by the Gym. Yet this year, among supporters and at the club, the usual unease has been replaced by a small breeze of optimism.
The Puel Effect
There was never any doubt that Claude Puel could stamp his style on the team. A French champion in 2000 with Monaco’s last title and the architect behind Lille’s project, his credit as a builder was not exhausted by three tumultuous years at Lyon regarding results or his relationships within the club. The surprise comes from how quickly the team adapted to his game plan, which was not expected to be so offensive.
Preceded by a reputation as a strict and defensive coach, Puel has instead led his team with flexibility (as demonstrated by his handling of the Anin case), implementing a forward-moving passing game which has had the side effect of some defensive fragility. Often dominating, even against top teams, Nice has conceded more avoidable goals, costing them 3 or 4 points more in line with their level of play.
While Civelli continues to hold the fort and Kolodziejczak has adapted fairly well, Delle has yet to prove he’s better than Ospina, Pejcinovic hasn’t returned to his best form, and the lack of a natural right-back in the squad is often felt. The defense will therefore still require some adjustments, even though it was the team’s strong point for the past three years, including offensively since the Gym was probably the only team in the world where defenders scored more goals than the attackers!
Cvitanitch, the Providential Scorer?
If Nice has loosened up defensively, it might also be because conceded goals no longer almost inevitably mean defeat, as they did last year due to a paralyzed attack. The offensive animation has indeed been the positive aspect of this season’s start, especially during the double clash with Brest (8 goals scored). As promising youngsters (Bosetti and Bahoken) are emerging and Meriem began an unlikely resurrection, new recruits have undoubtedly added value. Bauthéac has almost made people forget Mounier, Pied is gaining momentum, and Eysseric was not expected to reach this level so quickly given he is only 20.
Importantly, Nice may finally have the striker they have been waiting for since Baky Koné’s departure in 2008. Through his runs, physical presence, and effectiveness (4 goals in the last 3 matches), the Argentinian Dario Cvitanitch has shown all the qualities missing from his disappointing predecessors at the center of the attack.
The pessimists will tell you that the Red and Black have only won one championship match so far. That’s true, but the promises seen have instilled the dream of better days to come. And given the sad condition of being a Nice supporter, the right to dream is already something.
by Xavier Garcia
