OGC Nice is still searching for a positive streak before facing Lille this Sunday at Allianz Riviera. With 27 points on the board and a lackluster thirteenth place, Nice is stagnant, stuck in the middle of the table. A breakthrough is expected against the northern club.
After suffering a catastrophic defeat in Montpellier, the Nice team wants to present a completely different face at home against Lille. Ranked sixth in the home standings since the start of the season, OGC Nice is comfortable on its turf. With seven victories, one draw, and only three defeats, the Côte d’Azur club is in a strong position to make a mark against the third-place team in the championship.
The timing might seem ideal for Les Aiglons. Without a win in four matches, Lille is losing momentum. René Girard’s men have won only one match in the league since the beginning of the return phase. This is a surprising situation for a team that was close on the heels of Monaco and PSG in the first half of the season. Despite being the best defense in Ligue 1, the northern team has just conceded nine goals in the last six matches. In the first 16 games, Marco Basa’s teammates had only conceded four goals. This poor series from Les Dogues can be a double-edged sword. The Lille group can either continue to stumble or, as their coach demands, respond mentally with pride.
There are reasons for hope for Claude Puel’s men, provided they do not restore confidence to their opponents. The Nice coach can emphasize the first leg where his players won, in what remains the Gym’s only away victory (0-2). On Sunday, Claude Puel might rely on the return of his central defense partnership, Pejcinovic and Bodmer. Eric Bautheac, still convalescing, is more uncertain. The Nice technician will need all his vital forces to compete with a vengeful opponent. Without a team at 100% both physically and mentally, the task looks difficult.
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