His story with Nice began in a derby against Marseille, at the Vélodrome, on August 29, 2014. This story lasted 4 years. She marked his life. Born in Lille, trained in Lyon, loaned to Auxerre for 6 months, Alassane Plea scored 44 goals in 135 matches with the Gym, where he exploded. Since 2018, the French international has been in the spotlight at Glabach. As part of the club's 120th anniversary celebrations, where the Southern derbies will be in the spotlight, it is he, Aiglon of the 2017-18 season, who will launch the hostilities. He who shook the nets 3 times against Monaco, including one after missing a penalty, behind which he threw himself in the South… He who scored against Bastia. He who is a model of resilience, self-sacrifice, work and simplicity, for whom we will always have immense affection.
Alassane, what place do your years in Nice occupy in your career as a player and a man?
A big, big place. Professional, personal: everything is linked. I spent a lot of years in Germany (224 matches, 63 goals and 52 assists with Gladbach since 2018, editor's note), I like it, but it's not France, my country. Nice is the club that gave me my chance as a professional, that helped me reach the level I am at now. Nice is my club. Life, the city, everything was perfect. Nice is home. It always will be. So thank you to the club for thinking of me for Sunday. It touches me.
You arrived as a young player and left as Aiglon of the season, with 21 goals and 7 assists (in 2017-18)…
At the beginning, it was complicated. I came out of 6 months of L2 as a professional. I came to a big L1 club. We had to get into the rhythm and get up to speed, which is complicated. But I think people liked me because I never gave up. I came across exceptional coaches, Claude Puel and Lucien Favre. They made me progress year after year, despite some injuries which stopped me a little. It's thanks to Nice that I'm still here and that I have a career.
Your most beautiful memory?
There are many… The seasons where we finished 3rd (2016-17), 4th (2015-16). There are some incredible matches. Saint-Etienne at home, with Valère's double (2-0 victory on May 7, 2016). The atmosphere, the scenario, it was crazy.
On a more individual level, when I score 4 goals (in Guingamp, March 11, 2018), when I score a hat-trick (in Metz, October 23, 2016), when I score in Montpellier after returning from injury and I run on Bolt (March 12, 2016). Philippe is an exceptional person. I have never seen a physiotherapist who takes his job so much to heart, who is there for the players like that. I spent my entire rehabilitation with him, he took care of me, put my knee back in place, and even better. It was important to show him my gratitude and my love. And what's more, it was a good goal, with Hatem stopping me. I rolled up.
You were the first L1 player to donate part of your salary to a club’s Endowment Fund…
It was important. OGC Nice has always done a lot of action, it has always touched me. I wanted to give people pleasure. I have been extremely lucky in my life. Some have less. We must not forget this and we must not forget them. If you can help, you should. It was a good time. I hope to continue after my career.
“Thank you for the exceptional times I spent here”
-The only time you played Gladbach – Nice was in a friendly on July 20, 2017…
I was on the Nice side and what's more, I had scored. Maybe that’s why they recruited me a year later (he laughs). Since then, I have never played against the Gym and that's a good thing. I don't want it at all. I'm too attached to the club.
What did Nice – Marseille symbolize when you were a player?
When you meet Marseille, it's always a special match. It’s a big team, a big club. It's a derby, you know the stadium will be on fire. You want to beat them. These are big evenings. And the atmosphere of the stadium, once again, is something.
What message can you send to the Nice supporters who will meet you on Sunday?
I thank them for all their support and all their love. These 4 years were exceptional. They made me progress, even in complicated moments, because the few whistles at the beginning toughened me up. It made me want to surpass myself. It is thanks to them that I have progressed over the years, it must be said. Thanks to them I have this career. So I just want to thank them for that, for the love, for all the exceptional times I had here. It was an incredible time.
Your prediction?
Nice victory 2-1. Goals from Guessand and Laborde!
