Back at a very good level in the Nice jersey, Tanguy Ndombele is (already) indispensable to the team coached by Franck Haise, who host Real Sociedad this Wednesday (9 p.m.) in the Europa League.
For Tanguy Ndombele’s Aiglons, watch out for the landing. On a cloud since their historic win (8-0) against Saint-Étienne last Friday in Ligue 1, OGC Nice puts on their overalls again this Wednesday (9 p.m.) for their Europa League debut against Real Sociedad, once again at the Allianz Riviera. The Niçois, with an uneven schedule with big opening games (Real Sociedad, Lazio then Ferencvaros, Twente, Rangers, Union Saint-Gilloise, Elfsborg and Bodø/Glimt), must take advantage of this meeting to validate their rise to power, especially since their Spanish opponent has had a difficult start to the season in La Liga.“We must not relax, we must return to work while enjoying the present moment because this kind of moment is rare,” tempered the Côte d’Azur coach Franck Haise, in the wake of the thrashing inflicted on the Greens.
“Don’t relax”, a message that is all the more valid for Ndombele, the star recruit of the summer who arrived from Galatasaray at the end of a lackluster 2023/2024 season (22 matches played in all competitions), polluted by injuries. Half-time seasons, physical problems, irregularity, the 27-year-old French midfielder has had a hard time for four years and his departure from Tottenham followed by a return to Lyon (in January 2021) then a stint with Naples (2022/2023). On the Côte d’Azur, will he (finally) find continuity? In any case, his first steps are going in the right direction. Sharp, the French international (7 caps) took part in Nice’s first five matches in Ligue 1 until this historic success against ASSE. “(Winning 8-0 against Saint-Étienne) is always a pleasure and I hope the Lyonnais are happy,” the former Gone (2017/2019 – 2021/2022) joked, scoring the second goal for Nice.
Take on a leadership role
Like his team, unhappy on the OM pitch (0-2) on the 4th day, Ndombele is gaining momentum. In fact, his enormous technical qualities and his percussion with the ball at his feet are enhancing the Aiglons’ midfield.. While his nonchalant and detached side from the collective, often pointed out, seems to have remained in Türkiye. “There is no magic, I don’t have a wand. It’s just about creating a relationship. Tanguy is the one from whom we always expect more than he gives us, we have the feeling that he always has something more to give,” congratulated his coach Haise, without boasting about this success. “He is someone who needs – and he is not the only one – a climate of trust and that is what we are trying to give him. But beyond the atmosphere around the club, it is first and foremost Tanguy who ensures that everything goes well. From what I see of his matches, I think that in terms of trust, it is going rather well.”
It’s hard to prove the former RC Lens coach wrong, whose playing ideas are gradually spreading to his new group. A young squad, especially in attack (Moukoko, Cho, Bouanani, Guessand, etc.), which relies on experienced players (Dante, Clauss, Rosario). Having played in the Premier League, Serie A and familiar with the Champions League, Ndombele should be one of them. First response this Wednesday evening against the Basques of Real Sociedad, also big regulars in the European Cup.
