Nice Entertain Angers Amid Gathering Storm Clouds on the Riviera
Struggling Nice will face Angers at home in Ligue 1 this Sunday, aiming to halt a poor streak on the field and ease the growing friction between players and fans off it.
After suffering a fourth straight league defeat last Sunday, around 200 furious ultras assembled outside the teams training ground as the squad and coaches returned from their 3-1 loss to Lorient.
Supporters blocked the team coach, forcing the players to disembark and proceed on foot to the facility, where several were subjected to punches, kicks, and spitting along with verbal abuse, as detailed in a police report filed by two Nice players.
An inquiry into serious assault began on Tuesday, with Nice confirming that Terem Moffi, Jeremie Boga, and Jonathan Clauss endured both physical and verbal attacks. The club subsequently granted Moffi and Boga medical leave.
Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, also controls Nice via his Ineos firm, which issued a strong rebuke on Thursday regarding the incidents from the weekend.
We strongly denounce the violent actions directed at the players and the sporting director, and we offer our complete backing to everyone impacted, stated Ineos Sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc in an official club release.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday when French football officials mandated that Nice contest a game without spectators due to ongoing crowd issues earlier this season.
This full exclusion of fans will affect Nices French Cup encounter with Saint-Etienne in late December.
Additionally, the leagues disciplinary panel enforced a partial venue shutdown for Nices elite division match against Strasbourg in early January.
Besieged Nice manager Franck Haise, on that same day, reportedly assured his team of his desire to remain with the club.
I seriously considered ending my tenure here, he confided to LEquipe later.
That evening, sleep evaded me, and I resolved not to abandon ship. We must confront this crisis head-on, and I am determined to battle through.
Haise initial push in this recovery effort involves breaking the chain of six losses across all tournaments when his mid-table 10th-placed outfit hosts lower-ranked Angers.
The teams sit just two positions apart in the standings, and a loss combined with unfavourable outcomes elsewhere could drag Nice, currently on 17 points, perilously close to the drop zone by three points.
Paris Saint-Germain suffered their second league setback of the term last outing, surrendering the lead, yet they seek a return to form on Saturday against Rennes at Parc des Princes.
Lens could widen their slim one-point advantage atop Ligue 1 with a victory in Saturdays opening fixture away at Nantes.
On Friday, third-ranked Marseille head to fourth-placed Lille, where success would temporarily elevate Roberto De Zerbis squad to the pinnacle.
Player to watch: Desire Doue
Amid Luis Enriques title holders grappling with injuries, PSG talent Doue has featured sparingly during this disrupted campaign launch.
However, the 20-year-old informed the media on Thursday of his preparedness to reclaim his spot versus ex-club Rennes, having overcome a hamstring injury from October.
I believe my return will be strong and sustained, Doue remarked. I am diligent in my efforts. Upon rejoining, I aim to endure the full season, not merely a handful of games.
Key stats
1 - Lens concluded matchday 14 at the top of Ligue 1, their previous such finish came on matchday three of the 2004/05 campaign, per Opta data
5 - Lorient have shipped five goals in the 90th minute or beyond this season
7 - Marseilles 35 strikes lead the division, seven clear of Lille who hold second in the scoring rankings
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Brest v Monaco (1800), Lille v Marseille (2000)
Saturday
Nantes v Lens (1600), Toulouse v Strasbourg (1800), Paris Saint-Germain v Rennes (2005)
Sunday
Nice v Angers (1400), Le Havre v Paris FC, Auxerre v Metz (1615), Lorient v Lyon (1945)