News Focus
- Brazilian centre-back Dante starts his antepenultimate professional match.
- OGC Nice face RC Lens in the Coupe de France final at Stade de France.
- The winner secures automatic entry to next season’s Europa League group stage.
- Nice must balance cup ambitions with an upcoming Ligue 1 relegation play-off.
- Elye Wahi returns to face his former club after record-breaking transfer.
Brazilian defender Dante will line up for the third-from-last game of his distinguished career tonight. The 40-year-old centre-back leads OGC Nice into the Coupe de France final against RC Lens at Stade de France.
The stakes extend beyond silverware. The victors will qualify directly for the Europa League group stage next season. This prize offers Nice a potential escape route from their current relegation worries.
Manager Claude Puel faces a difficult balancing act. His team must fight for the cup, but they also prepare for a crucial two-legged Ligue 1 play-off against Saint-Etienne next week. Despite this pressure, Puel plans to field a strong starting eleven against Pierre Sage’s side.
Veteran players Morgan Sanson and Jonathan Clauss will join Dante in the line-up. This experienced core must guide Nice past a dangerous Lens outfit.
One player to watch is Elye Wahi. The Eintracht Frankfurt loanee remains Lens’ record signing following his €30 million move from Montpellier in 2023. He now faces his old club at the national stadium.
Predicted OGC Nice XI: Maxime Dupé; Kojo Oppong, Dante, Antoine Mendy; Melvin Bard, Sofiane Diop, Hicham Boudaoui, Morgan Sanson, Jonathan Clauss; Elye Wahi, Mohamed-Ali Cho.