•Squad list for Arras:

Gardiens: Letizi, Moreau
Défenseurs: Apam, Cid, Gace, Hognon, Jeunechamp, Rool
Milieux: Echouafni, Faé, Hellebuyck, Traoré
Attaquants: Bamogo, Ben Saada, Modeste, Mouloungui, Ozokwo, Quansah

Rémy, Kante, and Coulibaly all have injury problems and Adu is suspended (?!), but the rest of the absences are being rested or, in the case of Barul and Moussilou, cruelly ignored. Antonetti said earlier this week that Moreau could get the start if Letizi can’t go and, though the match is being taken seriously, it’s nevertheless thought that guys like Hognon, Cid, Traoré, Ben Saada and Modeste could all figured in the first XI.

•Though he returned to Nice not yet fully recovered from the injury he picked up last month, Rémy is due to start training again on Tuesday, and is expected to be in the squad when L1 resumes on the 10th. Woo hoo!

•Not surprisingly, Roger Ricort is denying that the club are interested in either Dindane (yes, him again) or Sablé, the former because he (still) costs too much, and the latter because, well, they just don’t want him.

•During the break, both Cyril #1 (who Google translate calls “the crustiest“) and Chouf talked to Nice-Matin about the season so far, and both of them, while pleased with the 30 points the team have amassed, pointed to the canceled Grenoble match as the thing that screwed everything up because it “broke our rhythm.” Cursed rain!

•In an interview with the official site, Antonetti also gave his take on the first half, praising the team’s ability to take points even when they don’t play their best, and being his usual, eminently reasonable self in bringing some perspective to how high Nice were flying about a month ago. (He, also, lists the cancellation of the Grenoble match as one of his regrets, along with the loss to Le Havre on the season’s opening weekend.)

•Ospina was voted Nice player of the month for December, because he is just that awesome.

Happy New Year, everybody. Hopefully next time we talk, it’ll be about advancing in the Coupe de France, and not about some sort of humiliating disaster.

Who does he think he is, Gerd Müller?

ASSE 0-1 Nice
But: Echouafni (20è) pour Nice

St Etienne: Janot – Andreu, Benalouane, Varrault, Sauget – Machado, Hautcoeur, Dernis (Payet, 73è) – Ilan (c), Gomis (Gigliotti, 82è), Mirallas (Matsui, 64è)

Nice: Letizi – Diakité, Apam, Kanté, Rool – Echouafni (c), Coulibaly (Jeunechamp, 73è), Faé, Hellebuyck – Bamogo (Modeste, 58è), Mouloungui (Cid, 94è)

* * *

There’s not really much to say about this match, apart from that it was just the sort of ugly win that makes you really proud of a team. The three points won were nothing to do with ability, and everything to do with desire, organization, and fight; points that have to be gutted out if Nice are dreaming of an extend stay within shouting distance of where they are in the table right now.

Conditions were dreadful and, for essentially the whole match, it was 10 men behind the ball and a whole lot of running from everyone in red and black. Ugly or not, it was awesome to see how hard everyone worked — Bamogo did nothing but defend for long stretches, and Hellebuyck, who must be the fittest man in the world, was all over the pitch, particularly late when legs were going and no one else could get forward. He was immense.

Really, it’s hard to think of much to add to Anonetti’s postmatch comments, particularly the bit where he said “I [take my] hat off to our defense that was heroic.” Damn right. This team have given up one goal (against five scored) in their last four league matches and, apart from some lapses against Lorient, the defense — including Letizi, who doesn’t get many style points, but is there when he needs to be — has looked nearly impenetrable. I don’t care who you’re playing, those are impressive numbers. After a preseason spent leaking goals, I don’t think anyone would have guessed a Lloris-free Nice would be defending this convincingly, even by late November.

* * *

I also don’t think anyone actually believes Nice will stay this close to the top of the table for long, but it’s fair to say that, in the last seven matches — starting with Bordeaux and including Créteil — the team have really shown us something. Apart from periodic, inspired stretches, the football isn’t petty, but they’re smart, they’re hard to play against, and they believe in themselves. Those three things, even without Rémy, and without the still-missing killer instinct, have made Nice a force to be reckoned with and, most importantly, a team that can tough out wins, even when they’re not playing well. If they can keep their wits about them moving forward (and adjust successfully when Rémy comes back), they’re going to make this interesting.

And, finally, while digging through ASSE forums yesterday, in amidst the “OMG NICE PLAY ANTIFOOTBALL!11!!!” rants and debates on whether they should moon over how much they want Antontetti back or just move on, I found this post, which I thought was a pretty perceptive summary of where Nice stand and how they play (forgive the Google translate garbling, I think you can still get the gist):

Nice still lost 4 best players in the offseason (Balmont, Kone, Lloris, Ederson) does not have a staff of Cador championship (an attack Mouloungui-Bamogo-Modeste, we saw more impressive) and was moving last night without his main striker (Remy). One can therefore understand that this team has not proposed football-champagne, outside what is more, and also in a relegation (kind of wounded beast that must be wary because it is always susceptible to rebel) .

Nice done with its resources and for now that they succeeded fairly well. They seek to maintain them as soon as possible and once the first goal achieved, they will seek the highest possible. They are not flamboyant in the game (how many teams are in France?), They know very well that they will be very difficult to maintain their current pace of 38 days but offset by a state of mind of combatants and not drop anything. And the points made are no longer taken.

Finally, Antonetti yells perhaps on the edge of the button, but he is at the root of this desire that we see on the ground and that made her a commando team on which many training just break your teeth (when they appear above Nice on paper). If Etienne had half the commitment and willingness shown by the people of Nice on the first 15 games, it would not be the 20th this morning.

(I’m generally a pretty cynical, irritable football fan, but having Nice described that way by an opposing supporter made me feel almost embarrassingly proud.)

For the first time since Frédéric Antonetti was a svelt 20-year-old, he’s got a full squad to choose from: No suspension, no injuries, no personal crises, no nothing. Everyone is fit and ready to go — what luxury!

Gardiens: Letizi, Ospina
Défenseurs: Apam, Cid, Diakité, Hognon, Kanté, Rool
Milieux: Coulibaly, Echouafni, Faé, Hellebuyck, Jeunechamp, Traoré
Attaquants: Bamogo, Ben Saada, Modeste, Mouloungui, Rémy

Absents: Adu, Barul, Gace, Moreau, Moussilou, Ozokwo, Quansah (choix de l’entraîneur)

One assumes we’ll see Rémy from the start in place of Modeste, but apart from that change, the rest of the team could well be as it was against Nantes. Unless, that is, Antonetti wants to go crazy and play Ben Saada in behind a front two of Mouloungui and Rémy. (Yeah, I know. That’s why I’m not in charge.) It’s also possible that Apam could be rested — he played all 90 minutes against Colombia at midweek, and just arrived back in Nice yesterday.

For their part, ASSE are having huge injury problems in their defense, so much so that they’ve got only three first-team players fit, and could well start someone from the youth squad in the back. And, injury problems notwithstanding, Saint-Etienne are seriously struggling — they’ve lost six in a row, and have given up 16 goals against only two scored during those matches. It’s been a truly horrific run, but they’re at home, playing under a new coach there for the first time, and will doubtless be desperate to turn things around in front of their supporters.

In other words, it’s just the sort of match that can spell doom for high-flying opponents who come in feeling a little too good about themselves. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m nervous as hell.

Gardiens: Letizi, Ospina
Défenseurs: Apam, Cid, Diakité, Hognon, Kanté, Rool
Milieux: Coulibaly, Echouafni, Faé, Hellebuyck, Jeunechamp
Attaquants: Bamogo, Ben Saada, Modeste, Mouloungui, Quansah
Absents: Traoré, Rémy (blessés), Adu, Barul, Gace, Moreau, Moussilou, Ozokwo (choix de l’entraîneur)

Away from tomorrow’s squad, there were at least three articles about Emerse Faé in various French outlets yesterday. Did he hold an all-press conference call, or something? I guess, as a former Nantes player, he’s the obvious person to talk to as the media try in uselessly to generate neutral interest in the match — it was worth a try, anyway. Sadly for the press, Faé didn’t have anything controversial to say, though he nevertheless didn’t shy away from agreeing with the assertion that there are significant problems at Nantes, problems that were not solved by their brief stay in L2. (Not exactly an earth-shattering revelation.) As a kid at Nantes, because of the problems there, he thought constant “tension off the field” was the norm, which is among the saddest things I’ve ever heard. Happily, though, Nice is showing him otherwise, and he’s loving life on the Côte d’Azur, in no small part because he’s playing regularly after a year in the stands in England.

Doing their part in the build-up, Ouest France ran an interview with Antonetti, who assured them he’s “very much in Nice” and that his family loves the city so he’s not going anywhere. (Cross your fingers, everyone.) He also talks about the insane youth of his team — despite the ancient people who are central to Nice, 16 of the players on the roster are between 18 and 22 years old (GOOD GOD) — and assures the reporter the team can still improve in every area.

If I find a stream tomorrow, I’ll put it up. Otherwise, enjoy your minute-by-minute text updates, everyone!

ETA: Lots of streams here, and not just the TV-aimed-at-webcam kind.

Report the First

Alright, so, the Lorient game. Ugh. Fantastic to play like that and get three points, but still — ugh. The goal was a stroke of luck, a failed clearance that ended up at Chouf’s feet with the keeper down, and which he rolled in to the near corner of the net as he was falling down. In reality, Nice rarely looked threatening (and seemed to be in more of a 4-5-1 than the 4-4-2 it looked on paper, so deep was Bamogo playing), and the few chances they created were squandered badly by Mouloungui. If this is life without Rémy, I don’t want to think about what will happen if he ever picks up a long-term injury. (Happily, he said on 100% Aiglons this week that he’ll be back for Sunday, so hopefully we can stick our heads in the sand about the possible striking problems a bit longer.)

In addition to the lack of threats going forward, I lost count of the giveaways even before half time — the match was just sloppy, and was played with a strange lack of urgency. Probably because of the slow pace things seemed to perk up a bit when Modeste went on late in the match — he may be artless, but he’s fast and wants to prove himself, so he doesn’t give up on anything and was involved with Nice’s most threatening moves of the second half.

In good news, though, the defense as a group were awfully good. Apam, in particular, was head and shoulders above everyone around him — every time there was a sloppy giveaway and Lorient were putting together an attack, he was there to clean up the mess, be it with a perfectly timed tackle or a smart interception. He really looked like a man among boys at times, it was a truly impressive performance. Cyril #1, also, was impressive, apart from the few times he caught the sloppy disease. He won everything that came his way in the air, and his distribution, for the most part, was quite good. (And that’s not just my biased heart talking — he made L’Equipe’s team of the week and everything.)

Additionally, Letizi was solid. He didn’t have much to do, but made a massive save early with his leg when he’d already committed in the other direction — it was the sort of save that looks lucky but, when you see the replay, is absolutely intentional, and just good goal keeping. Yeah, the old man’s still got.

* * *

Report the Second (such as it is)

I’ve not seen yesterday’s match and probably won’t be able to find it, so I can only rely on cheerful forum posts that indicate the 3-0 victory was deserved and well-played. So woo hoo! And well done to the team for not taking Créteil lightly.

Ben Saada scored his first goal for Nice (from the penalty spot) and reportedly had a really good match, Bamogo was threatening, Ospina made a couple big saves, Modeste scored, and Quansah played in his first professional match. Were it not for the injury suffered by Cyril #2 (coming right after he played a solid game against Lorient), there’d be nothing but smiles at Nice HQ this morning.

So Nice move on to the last eight, and will face Le Havre in the new year; the draw to determine the host will be held next week.

First, the team for tomorrow:

Gardiens: Letizi, Ospina
Défenseurs: Apam, Cid, Diakité, Gace, Hognon, Jeunechamp, Kanté, Rool
Milieux: Echouafni, Faé, Hellebuyck
Attaquants: Bamogo, Ben Saada, Modeste, Mouloungui, Quansah
Absents: Coulibaly, Traoré, Rémy (blessés), Adu, Barul, Moreau, Moussilou, Ozokwo (choix de l’entraîneur)

Regarding the bad guys, they’re low in the table but have been getting good results lately, and are hard to beat at home. The good news for Nice, though, is that Lorient are in such injury hell that they’re down to their third-choice keeper for the match: Alban Joinel looks set to make his first Ligue 1 and Lorient appearance in the match. (What do you want to bet he plays a blinder?)

Away from the match, there has been a little news and a bunch of interviews in the last couple days:

•Lilian Laslandes has apparently turned his back on football and Qatar, and instead will join Bordeaux … and play for their handball team. Wow. Didn’t see that one coming.

•Mercato365 are reporting that everyone and his brother want Rémy. And by “everyone,” I mean Newcastle, Spurs, Arsenal (because he’s French, and therefore Arsenal has to come up in every rumor), Juve and Sevillia, not to mention the French clubs who are inevitably sniffing around. Whew. Assuming he can keep banging in goals now and then, at least when he goes there’ll be come competition, and therefore maybe a reasonable price.

•Mercato365 also talked to Apam, who’s got a lot of level-headed things about say about his future: He sees Nice as a place to develop further, but knows big French clubs (OM and Lyon, allegedly) are tracking him, and admits he wants to play in England some day. With all the bullshit badge kissing that goes on these days, there’s something refreshing about a kid who admits his future is up in the air, no matter how long his contract runs. That said, I hope to god Nice can keep him next summer.

•Cyril #1 talked to the official site about being awesome, as well as the team’s effective (for now) mix of very old and very young players. Refreshingly, he downplayed the significance of the olds folks as mentors, insisting the youngsters know what to do, at least on the pitch, without having extra dads around to explain things to them.

•The official site also talked to Eric Mouloungui about his recent success in front of goal, as well as his reputation for being “nonchalant,” a line of questioning he handled remarkable well — no defensiveness at all, at least through Google translate. He freely admits that he needs to work on his focus, and reports that Antonetti isn’t shy about giving him verbal shoves. Somehow, that’s not surprising.

I’ll post a stream if I can find one tomorrow, but don’t get your hopes up.

I admit it, I’m making a post almost entirely to share this picture (Click, and the grinning gets even bigger!) — imagine being a young, nervous kid trying to survive at Monaco with the two of them around. I bet some of the young players from that team still have nightmares about the mocking, harassment, and constant noise. In addition to god only knows what else.

So, there’s that. But, also, there’s info on Rémy, which is much less wonderful than a picture of Giuly and Cyril #1, but also better than it could have been. As Ursus noted in the comments yesterday, Rémy’s ankle injury is nothing more than a sprain, and he’ll be out at most two weeks. There’s hope he could be back before Nantes, though, because he was already running — or, as Google translate prefers to put it, “scampering” — at training today.

Additionally, according to L’Equipe, Traoré is out for two weeks, too, — his is a thigh problem. That poor kid just cannot stay healthy. (Don’t let it get you down, though. Just look at the picture again. Doesn’t that help?)

Sorry for the lull here, folks, when I can’t watch matches live (almost never), it’s really hard for me to get them watched and all caught up, so instead I do nothing. Useful, I know.

So, I think it’s safe to say the post-Lyon doldrums have passed: A derby win, followed by a miraculous point from Bordeaux, a (wasteful) draw with Caen, and a confident win over PSG is a great haul from the last four matches, and has the team sitting happily in seventh. And, yes, I know that by typing that I’ve ensured absolute disaster against Lorient. I apologize in advance.

Apart from the three points, the most significant thing about the PSG match was that it was a win achieved without Rémy — through a goal scored by his replacement, no less. Given that we have no idea how long Rémy will be out (he’s due to be examined today), it’s reassuring to have been shown recently that a few other people (read: Mouloungui) can score, and also that Mouloungui is apparently a legitimate option up top, in addition to out wide.

In news that’s not to do with matches, Abeiku Quansah, who was so impressive at times during preseason, just turned 18 and has joined his countryman Adu in signing a three-year professional contract with Nice. Nice. (That second one is the adjective, not the city/club.) He’s now eligible to play in matches, should Antonetti want to sent a speedster out to scare the crap out of some people. Heading out, meanwhile, is Patrick Barul, who’s close to sorting things out for his long-rumored move to Qatar — he’ll reportedly join Al-Syliya, which leaves only Matt Moussilou still around from the original outcast trio.

•Ben Saada played 10 minutes of Tunisia’s 1-3 friendly loss to France yesterday. Friendly or not, it was a big match for him personally, since he’s French-born and won a U-17 title in a France shirt before choosing Tunisia as his senior side. (Based on his grinny, pre-match interview, though, he’s never had much regret about the choice.)

•Quansah scored on a free kick to beat Gambia 1-0, putting Ghana’s U20s into their first Africa Youth Championships since 2001. W00t! (Thanks to commenter Mawuli for the heads-up.)

•There’s still work to do for Rémy, who played 92 minutes (and then was subbed) in the Bleuets’ 1-1 draw with Germany last week, and is quietly confident ahead of today’s massive, all-or-nothing second leg.

•In actual Nice team news, Kanté is suspended for the derby because of accumulated yellows. Superb.

•Letizi missed training yesterday with a calf strain, but he’s hoping to be back on the pitch today. (What a L1 debut Monaco would be for Ospina, huh? No pressure, kiddo.)

•Lots of prematch quotes here, from Faé, Cyril #1, and Hellebuyck, none of whom even bother to throw out the old “it’s just another match” line, given that the match would be massive even if it wasn’t the freaking derby.

•The gaffer, meanwhile, is already working the referees, saying he remembers near-violent conduct from Monaco last season, but — picture a very serious, slightly sad expression on Antonetti’s round face for this bit — that now he “hope[s for] fair arbitration.”

•And, finally, Roger Ricort and Eric Roy gave what is actually a pretty interesting interview radio interview this week. The full interview is up at ogcnice.tv, if you pay for that, but if not, the high points are here, including discussion of the futures of Matt Moussilou and Morrisson Ozokwo (the latter is rendered confusedly by Google Translate), a touch of regret about what happened with Laslandes, and vague plans to buy in the winter transfer window.

Now, if you’re anywhere near Nice, get offline and to the team store so you can see Cyril #1 and Ospina present the new kit. Go! Take pictures!