LOSC faces OGC Nice this Sunday, as part of the eleventh day of Ligue 1 McDonald's. To introduce this shock, Le Petit Lillois went to meet Adrien, a Nice supporter.
What can you tell us about OGC Nice, its dynamics in this first part of the season?
We're having a good first part of the season with a quality squad that is looking forward more than under the Farioli era (predecessor of Franck Haise). Unfortunately, the results in Europe leave something to be desired for the moment…
Franck Haise is the newcomer on the Côte d'Azur. What did he bring and what was his beginnings like?
Franck Haise brought a renewal on the offensive level with real momentum. It is based on a 3-4-3 system. His debut is good in the championship with great performances against Monaco, Paris and even Brest recently. However, he rotates a lot and that costs us dearly on the European scene, in the Europa League.
In your eyes, what are the strengths and weaknesses of OGC Nice?
Our main strengths are technique in midfield, with the contribution of Ndombele, and offensive transitions with our three arrows in front who are Mohamed-Ali Cho, Jérémie Boga and Evann Guessand. Our weaknesses are rather defensive, but they are masked by Marcin Bulka's good first part of the season in goal in Ligue 1.
Can you give us news about Badredine Bouanani and Dante, two former LOSC players?
Despite his 41 years, Dante remains the undisputed boss. He is still as efficient and technically adept at restarting. Bouanani does not confirm the promises made at the beginning. He is very good technically, but a little too soloist at times with a lack of impact on a physical level.
As a supporter of OGC Nice, how do you judge the start of the LOSC season?
LOSC's start to the season is of high quality, in Ligue 1 but especially in the Champions League with major performances against Real, Atlético and Juventus, it's definitely striking.
Is there a player you are wary of heading into the upcoming duel?
I can't say anything other than Edon Zhegrova. He is the X factor capable, through a personal exploit, of turning a match around.
What memories do you have of these posters, which often end in draws?
These are always very competitive matches with great intensity and teams who often, very often want to move forward. These are also teams that are quite close and fight year after year for the European games. There has always been a rather attractive game in recent seasons.
What atmosphere awaits the Mastiffs during this match? We recently saw very sparse stands against Twente.
There will be more people at the stadium despite the schedule which is not great (Sunday at 3 p.m.). The match against Twente did not bring together many supporters because of the schedule and the lack of prestige of the poster. The average results of the first matches in the Europa League didn't help either. It's not really comparable.
Where do you imagine LOSC and OGC Nice at the end of the season?
I see both teams finishing the season in the Top 5/Top 6. Lille and Nice are among the best teams in the championship and have full squads, ready to play on both counts.
Finally, what would be your scenario and your prediction for this match?
I'm going to bet on a victory for Nice (2-1) at the end of a tight match with the winning goal scored by our goleador of the moment: Evann Guessand.
