Sunday, against Troyes (3-2), Nice scored three goals. However, the team of Lucien Favre is, with nine goals in ten days, the 19th attack of the elite. Only Ajaccio does worse. Given that at European level, it’s hardly better (5 goals in 5 matches), the Aiglons skate. Especially since these figures even manage to mask the complexity of the situation. Because of these 14 goals in 15 matches, five were scored from the penalty spot, a gesture that Andy Delort (4/4, plus one goal in play) and Nicolas Pépé (1/1, plus two goals) master.
In the game, the Aiglons develop too few destabilizing offensive actions to hope to score more. The one who offers the most percussion, Youcef Atal, is eternally injured. Against Troyes, last Sunday, it was interesting… 42 minutes, before injuring himself, again, in a thigh.
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“I hope his absence will not last long because he is important to us”, cursed his trainer, aware of the loss represented. Thursday, Atal will miss. “We need this type of input, this ability to make a difference”, insists Favre, who continually demands “depth, dribbling, percussion and power”. However, Sofiane Diop and Hicham Boudaoui are not pure wingers and do not compile all the characteristics requested. As for Pépé, whose speed and vertical play Favre appreciates, he “rise in power”.
“String together goals allows you to gain confidence quicklyexplains the striker on loan from Arsenal. I come out of an almost white year, lacking in confidence, where I played little. Even if I’m not in my optimal form, I feel better and better.” “When you see him dribbling, entering on his left foot, it’s good, insists Favre. He takes depth and creates chances.”
Author of two goals and two strikes on the uprights in the last two matches, Pépé still intends to gain in realism. Another proven scorer, Gaétan Laborde, who opened his Nice counter in Paris (1-2) – which gave him “did good”-, must also “be more efficient”.
Favre “adapts to the players”
But as on the way out, in the Czech Republic, he often runs out in races without always being served. “I ran a lot (12.92 km) for the teamhe explains. You have to be able to sacrifice yourself for the collective. It’s up to us to set up the offensive animation. I don’t have a preference.” Favre believes his players have disparate qualities. So he “adapts to the players available” and alternate patterns: 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-3. “It will last until Christmas”, he insists, before continuing: “There is work with everyone, not just the attack. We will have it for a while. We are slowly making small progress”.
“We must not forget that apart from Andy, we have all arrived at the end of the transfer windowsupports Pepe. We still have a lot to work on. We must continue.” The striker on loan from Arsenal regrets not being able to refine the automation in training due to the sequence of meetings. But for him, “It’s starting to work”. Laborde, who already has automation with Delort, confirms: “It’s getting better and better.” Favre, his, a “saw 65 pleasant minutes and collectively, not bad” against Troyes. Against Slovacko, he will judge on the actions, in a stadium behind closed doors, where he will be heard.
Nicolas Pepe against Slovacko in the Europa League Conference,
Credit: Getty Images
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