What can Real Sociedad expect from OGC Nice? | OneFootball

This season’s version of OGC Nice bears hardly any resemblance to the side that Francesco Farioli led into the UEFA Europa League last season. Under Franck Haise, Le Gym are revolutionised, however, within what is a transitory phase, there have been teething problems.

Farioli played a very defensive-minded 4-3-3, with a focus on drawing the opposition in before breaking through the lines. However, there was also a particular focus on retaining – often stale – possession and not over-committing so as to not compromise the rest defence.

Haise’s version of Nice is not quite gung-ho but it vastly differs from the play style proposed by his predecessor, now manager at Ajax. In his early press conferences, he emphasised the importance of playing an attack-minded and visually appealing brand of football. Given what was seen at the Allianz Riviera last season, that was music to the ears of Nice fans.

Haise has his side set up in a 3-4-3- with the full-backs staying hide and wide and his forwards tucking in more centrally. Jonathan Clauss, signed from Olympique de Marseille over the summer, has thrived within this system, with which he already has great familiarity, having already worked with Haise at RC Lens.

Nice lodge historic victory ahead of Real Sociedad meeting

However, other players are less familiar with the system and they are grappling to terms with the changes. It is a radical departure from what they learnt under Farioli, whilst for those that arrived over the summer, and that is a considerable chunk of the squad, there is a need not only to take on board Haise’s instructions, but also create automatisms with their new teammates.

Whilst their record so far in Ligue 1 is mixed (two wins, one draw, two losses), there are signs of progress and Haise has sought to emphasise that. Had they been more ruthless in front of goal a fortnight ago, they may have achieved a result against Marseille, instead, they lost.

But they were efficient against AS Saint-Étienne, winning 8-0 – their largest victory in the French top flight since 1957. Evann Guessand, Youssoufa Moukoko and Mohamed-Ali Cho, a doubt to face former club Real Sociedad on Wednesday night, all netted in that rout and therefore enter the Europa League tie brimming with confidence.

Nice likely lineup v Real Sociedad

Marcin Bulka; Dante, Moise Bombito, Youssouf Ndayishimiye; Melvin Bard, Tanguy Ndombélé, Pablo Rosario, Jonathan Clauss; Evann Guessand, Youssoufa Moukoko, Badredine Bouanani.

GSFN | Luke Entwistle