Nice in turmoil as they seek Coupe de France triumph on Friday against soaring Lens
"Lens are the frontrunners and this will virtually be a home fixture for them. They are almost expected to emerge victorious," remarked Nice manager Claude Puel, encapsulating the general consensus regarding the anticipated result of the clash at the Stade de France.
It has been a remarkable season for Lens, who secured second place behind the dominant Paris Saint Germain in Ligue 1, narrowly missing out on their first French championship since 1998.
Now they aim to clinch the French Cup for the first time in their history, having suffered defeats in all three prior final appearances, the most recent also occurring in 1998.
In stark contrast, Nice have suffered through a dismal season, concluding their Ligue 1 campaign in the relegation play off spot after securing victories in merely two of their last 24 matches.
The possibility of claiming their first trophy since their last French Cup win in 1997 is now entirely eclipsed by what awaits after Friday's marquee event. They must prevail in a two legged play off next week against Saint Etienne to retain their Ligue 1 status.
Few give them any hope against Lens, yet history might mirror itself here. Not only was 1997 the year of their last Cup triumph, but it also marked the last occasion they faced relegation.
"It remains a final, so naturally we will give everything. However, the two matches that follow hold greater significance. Our sole objective is to remain in Ligue 1," conceded Nice president Jean Pierre Rivere.
The recent 0 0 draw with relegated bottom side Metz culminated in enraged supporters storming the pitch, hurling smoke bombs, and compelling players to seek refuge in the dressing room.
Ineos harboured grand aspirations when British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's firm acquired the Cote d'Azur club in 2019.
They have achieved three top five finishes since then and reached the French Cup final in 2022.
Last year, they finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League preliminary rounds but were swiftly eliminated by Benfica in August, failing to progress to the group stage of Europe's premier club competition.
Fan discontent
The season rapidly deteriorated, and in November, players, staff, and management encountered hundreds of disgruntled fans outside the training facility, voicing their frustration as the team returned from a match.
Head coach Franck Haise departed in December, succeeded by Puel. He has been powerless to halt the decline, exacerbated by the January exits of key forwards Jeremie Boga and Terem Moffi, both affected by the altercation with supporters, who joined Juventus and Porto respectively.
The attention of Ratcliffe, who also holds a 25 percent stake in Manchester United, has since shifted elsewhere.
Nice have been instructed to play the home leg of the Saint Etienne tie without spectators as punishment for the pitch invasion, and many fans are also likely to abstain from attending Friday's final.
Meanwhile, authorities anticipate up to 50,000 Lens supporters filling the 80,000 capacity Stade de France.
Lens, spearheaded by forward Florian Thauvin, who narrowly missed selection for France's World Cup squad, are resolute in their quest to secure the long elusive trophy.
A victory would cap an outstanding season that has already guaranteed their participation in next season's Champions League.
"We are the sole French champions never to have lifted the French Cup," stated coach Pierre Sage in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe.
"This club, celebrating 120 years, merits this honour. Our current squad has delivered an exceptional season and equally deserves it. Thus, I believe this is our year to achieve it."
Sage guided Lyon to the final in 2024, where they fell to PSG. The Parisians' supremacy in French football is overwhelming, yet Friday's victor will mark the fifth distinct winner of the competition in eight seasons.