It’s been almost three years since the Gym has been chasing a success against Nantes. On January 14, 2022, Nice won at home, a few months before this very painful defeat in the Coupe de France final (0-1) to launch this dark series. Since that dark evening in May 2022, the Gym remains in four games without a victory in the league, including two losses suffered last season with Francesco Farioli on the bench. The first defeat ended the Italian’s unbeaten streak since his arrival in Nice. His team lost at La Beaujoire against the Canaries who scored a second success on their return to the Allianz Riviera. And therefore hope to sign the three pass against the Gym of a Franck Haise who has many other considerations at the moment than this delicate history.
The Ndombele blow, the Laborde boost
The Normandy coach hoped to take advantage of the international break to recharge the batteries and recover players from the infirmary. Rather the opposite happened, to confirm another dark series which has affected the Gym since the start of the season. Ndombele is still suffering after the match against Paris and will not play, like Melvin Bard, Terem Moffi and Morgan Sanson. Dante is suspended. While Cho (Achilles tendon), Youssouf (back) and Ali Abdi (ankle) are doubtful for this match. Despite his injury against PSG, Abdi spent the break with his Egyptian selection, which did not facilitate his recovery. Abdelmonem and Bombito have again crossed the planet with their selection. And the puzzle lies in defense, a sector which only had the young Antoine Mendy in recent days in training.
The good news, however, is the quicker than expected return of Gaëtan Laborde in the offensive sector. The striker, injured in the foot after the match at Auxerre, missed two months of competition and deprived Franck Haise of a profile different from what the Gym has in front. “Gaëtan is attracted by the goal. He has that in him, he has scored everywhere he has played. I like to see him when he’s up there, close to the goal. One of his great qualities is his ability to finish actions. But I know he is capable of playing in the supporting roles of the striker.”
Nantes on the downward slope
Despite the third best attack in Ligue 1 this season (15 goals scored), the Gym lacks efficiency up front. With only nine points in seven days, Nice is lagging behind in the standings and shares 9th place with Nantes. The Canaries started strong with two wins and a draw to appear on the podium after three days. Since then, it has been more complicated for the Nantes team with four matches without success. Touched by the death of his dad in recent days, Antoine Kombouaré returned this week to prepare for this match against the Aiglons and assures that he wants to become “hermetic and decisive” again. Defender Fabien Centonze is out while Douglas Augusto is suspended.
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France
