Nice is in trouble and it’s been going on for a while. Yesterday still (and logically) defeated in Monaco (1-0), the Gym has lost two new places in Ligue 1 and is in 6th place, expelled from European markets. A spectacular fall 5 games from the end of the Championship, with the Azureans on the podium for a very large part of the season (16 days). This bad time illustrated by the hit received in Lens (3-0) happens at the worst of times, because in addition to the final sprint, there is a Coupe de France final to prepare against Nantes on May 7.
Surprisingly, Galtier took positives from this defeat to Louis II. “I liked the behavior of my players, because I wanted to prevent the opponent from playing very high. We squeezed them out nicely. We had situations, there were also some controversial situations that were not favorable for us, but in general I am satisfied with the behavior. And at the same time, I am disappointed that they are not being rewarded in a competition where they have given a lot. However, there is nothing to be happy about.
Wrestling in all areas of the game
Monaco deserved its win and even took the opportunity to overtake its neighbor in the standings. ASM should have even made the break to take cover, but failed to capitalize on their other opportunities. Weak in defense and moved in the middle, the Aiglons didn’t show much offensively. They had only 2 shots on target out of 15 attempts. Galtier’s choices can also be questioned, he who left Gouiri on the bench at kick-off and Brahimi, probably the most enterprising Nice, fifteen minutes before time.
Rescuer of the OGCN last weekend against Lorient, Andy Delort did not have the same success this time. “The shots were blocked and there were a few saves by the keeper. The only regret I can have is that we had a lot of centersthe coach complained at a press conference. We were present on the surface, but these crosses were sometimes missed, poorly dosed or not placed where they should have been. Kind of like Monaco’s goal: we had such a situation. Unfortunately, we failed to materialize them at the last gesture.
The worst preparation for the Coupe de France final
With just one win in their last six games, Nice saw their lead melt in the blink of an eye. The solidity of the 4-4-2 crumbled, then there is Atal’s new injury, Gouiri’s bad pass (last goal in the league on January 23), Dolberg’s still too irregular form, Calvin Stengs’ disappointment, Walter Benitez’s dumpling yesterday; so many facts that could explain the Gym’s cavity. A few days ago, Galtier even prematurely ended a training session, dissatisfied with the involvement of his players.
The reigning French championship coach knows that urgent action is needed. In two weeks it will be the big meeting of the final of the Coupe de France. Nice’s favorite status can even be redefined based on performance against Troyes and Bordeaux, two equally affordable opponents only tricky at the moment, while Nantes moves forward with confidence. “It’s the most important month and a half of the past 20 years for the club”warned Julien Fournier in the columns of Good morning Beginning of the week. Already in trouble in Ligue 1, Galtier and INEOS’ project would take a major blow in the event of a failure at Saint-Denis.
