Nice enter the most critical week of their season with little time to dwell on Friday's Coupe de France final loss to Lens. Despite a 1-3 defeat, the performance offered a glimmer of hope as they now face Saint-Étienne in the Ligue 1 relegation playoff. Defender Dante admitted the match gave them confidence, saying: 'We didn't play with fear, we were together, we showed courage. We gave ourselves more confidence for the next two games.' Lens' Adrien Thomasson echoed the sentiment, insisting Nice's 16th-place finish does not reflect their true level.
The psychological blow of losing a final could linger, but Nice must expunge that disappointment within days. The first leg arrives on Tuesday, followed by a quick turnaround for Friday's return. Saint-Étienne, by contrast, have enjoyed over ten days of rest and preparation, a significant advantage for a team with all the momentum from their own promotion playoff campaign.
Complicating matters, Claude Puel's squad will be severely depleted. Star forward Elye Wahi is suspended for the first leg, robbing Nice of one of their primary attacking threats. Additionally, Hicham Boudaoui, Kojo Peprah Oppong, and Ali Abdi remain unavailable through injury, with Abdi also at risk of being called up by Tunisia during the FIFA international window. The club has already sent a letter to LFP president Vincent Labrune, urging intervention with the relevant federations to prevent further absences.
The second leg will be played behind closed doors at the Allianz Riviera, the result of a disciplinary sanction for fan misconduct earlier in the season. Although the club has appealed, insiders consider the chances of a reversal slim, with the appeal more likely aimed at mitigating future punishments. The absence of home support could be a decisive factor, especially given the positive recent reconciliation between players and supporters after the Lens final.
There had been fears of a hostile atmosphere after the final whistle at the Stade de France, but supporters instead engaged in a calm dialogue with captain Dante. The Brazilian defender later said: 'The fans told us they are with us. We are together, and we'll play this playoff with the support of everyone around the club.' That unity, however fragile, is a vital lifeline as Nice brace for a hostile reception in Saint-Étienne and a silent home leg.
Beyond the mental toll, physical fatigue is a growing concern. Nice's marathon campaign began on August 6 and has now stretched to 52 matches. With only four days between the Cup final and the first leg—and just three between the two playoff ties—squad rotation is almost impossible. The core group that toiled against Lens must summon one last push to preserve top-flight status.
Relegation would be catastrophic for a club already operating under financial constraints. Even survival in Ligue 1 promises a reduced budget for next season, but dropping into Ligue 2 would trigger a far deeper crisis. Everyone at the club understands the magnitude of the moment, from the boardroom to the dressing room.
The club's frustration with the scheduling has escalated to a potential legal battle. Nice informed Labrune they reserve the right to seek damages in court if the playoff's clash with international fixtures causes them sporting harm. While they hope litigation isn't necessary, the move underscores the desperation and the perceived unfairness of the situation.
There is at least a silver lining for the return leg: goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf, versatile defender Antoine Mendy, and the suspended Wahi will all be available. That trio could provide a much-needed injection of quality and freshness. But first, they must survive the trip to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, where a passionate crowd awaits and Saint-Étienne will look to build an advantage to take to the empty Riviera.
With so many obstacles—suspensions, injuries, a closed stadium, fixture congestion—Nice's resilience will be tested to the limit. The squad takes solace from their improved display against Lens, but words of encouragement will mean nothing if they fail to translate that spirit into points over the next two games. The clock is ticking, and Nice's Ligue 1 existence hangs in the balance.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
