Elye Wahi and a renewed edge spark Nice’s charge to the Coupe de France final | OneFootball

Nice ground out 0-0 at Lille on Saturday, then beat Strasbourg 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the Coupe de France final. The upturn arrives as they battle to preserve Ligue 1 status.

According to L'Équipe, Nice remain 15th, yet this run has brightened a bleak campaign. Goalkeeper Maxime Dupé called it a miserable season, and said momentum could make it almost exceptional if survival is paired with victory over Lens on 22 May.

The most visible change is a coordinated press, from the first preventive run, which worked in Lille and Strasbourg. Morgan Sanson explained there was a wake-up after the 1-3 defeat at Strasbourg on four April, with data exposing a disjointed press, so they resolved to defend differently. Out of possession now takes priority, with 38% at Lille and 34% at Strasbourg, and only one goal conceded across the last three matches, including Le Havre 1-1 on twelve April.

Growing assurance at the back has helped. Antoine Mendy, Juma Bah and Kojo Oppong look far sturdier than during a chaotic start when injuries to Dante, Moïse Bombito, Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem forced them together. Mendy has been the standout centre-back, Bah has tightened up and Oppong is close to their best summer addition.

Nice have not previously avoided defeat for more than three matches in a row in all competitions, and can change that on Sunday at Marseille at 20:45. Winter signing Elye Wahi struck twice on Wednesday and now has six in 14 outings, a primary threat alongside Mohamed-Ali Cho who suits their transition play. He is likely to be central again in Marseille, then against Lens on two May, and survival could hinge on him.

Source: L'Équipe