Lille, Marseille… The program will get tougher for OGC Nice

A derby is not played, it is won. The formula was taken up by the Nice club on social networks and the supporters did not shy away from their pleasure at seeing the Gym leave a second consecutive time victorious over Furiani, Tuesday (1-0). “We knew it was an important match for our supporters, attests Bard, who will know the opponent for the next round this evening (from 8 p.m. on beIN 1). We didn't know how to play the game the way we wanted against a great team from Bastia but in the Cup, only qualification counts. We are on a good dynamic at the moment. Now we have to continue working, because there are things to still improve, others to keep.”

Launched with three consecutive successes, OGC Nice is indeed approaching a series of four very important matches in the race for Europe: in Lille tomorrow (5^e), then against Marseille (2^eJanuary 26), in Toulouse (8^eFebruary 2) and finally against Lens (7^eFebruary 9).

Enfin un clean-sheet

Before moving on to the reveal, there is already the satisfaction of having achieved a first clean sheet in more than two months, the last dating back to the trip to Brest (1-0, November 2). In the eleven matches that followed, Franck Haise had tinkered with defenses and changed the scheme due to injuries. Now he can make choices.

Combining Youssouf and Abdelmonem to make Dante breathe was one, he was a winner. Because the Burundian is a safe bet despite a second half polluted by a few bad choices in attacking the ball and a dangerous back pass. And because Mohamed Abdelmonem is gaining strength too. The Egyptian is hard on the man and flexible in the recovery, offering more guarantees than Bombito in the duel. With the Canadian's upcoming return, Franck Haise will have arguments to reform his favorite three-way defense very soon. On the piston side too, the coach was able to count on a very solid Bard defensively while Abdi is always dangerous when he comes in to bring something more offensively.

Cho signs his return

Back in the eleven a month and a half after his injury in Lyon, Mohamed Ali Cho marked his comeback in style with the winning goal, his 4th of the season in all competitions, on a nice serve from Guessand. The two friends did not succeed in everything in Corsica, far from it, but they were more active than Moukoko and Bouanani. The first once again missed a chance to get his head above water, the second disappointed again with too many ball losses and forced choices. Once again, with Laborde saving an hour of play at Furiani, Haise has several solutions available to align the best possible attack in Lille, winner of OM on penalties at the same time to line up a 20^e consecutive match without defeat, the best series in the history of the northern club. But the appetite comes with eating and the Gym has its teeth in 2025, Bard certifies. “We did a great operation last week by passing in front (4^e with a one point lead), now we face this direct competitor with the ambition of putting him within a few points.”.