Circus music, mocking poster. On a website, created for the occasion, a laughing clown from the “Cirque OGC Nice” appears. Pale complexion, red nose, posted in front of a marquee, he announces the Aiglons’ next matches, in Ligue 1 against Angers then against Braga in the Europa League. “The most famous circus in Europe is finally back! “, we can read there. A poster which was also plastered on the walls of the city or near the stadium.
The anecdote tells, perhaps even more than the rest, the deleterious atmosphere with which the Franck Haise players had to deal this Sunday against the Angevins. In Nice, the crisis is everywhere on and off the pitch. And it is not this new defeat conceded at home (0-1), the seventh in a row in all competitions, which will be likely to reverse the trend and ease tensions. This Sunday afternoon, the Aiglons equaled the worst series in their history after October-November 1960, April-August 1964 and October-December 2013.
Dumpling and wasted opportunities
Above all, beyond the defeat, the worry comes from the returning illnesses. The copy returned was further weighed down by immense excitement, embodied by multiple technical faults which prevented them from playing their game, or by this avoidable high sole from Tom Louchet, excluded in the 53rd minute.
Without forgetting the only Angevin goal coming from a ball from Bah, a loss of ball at the entrance to the area. Yassine Beldkhdim only had to open his left foot a few seconds later to find the opposite net and conclude a superb collective movement initiated by Arcus and Mouton (33rd). A goal warmly applauded by the public… in Nice.
The rare clear chances were completely missed, notably that of Morgan Sanson on the hour mark, although he was not the least comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Whistles from their own supporters
It’s difficult not to read these failures as the result of a particularly heavy context. This match took place at the end of an extremely eventful week after the incidents between players and supporters a week ago. The Aiglons had also chosen to adorn their jersey with the names of two of their teammates – Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga -, who filed a complaint against X after being victims of beatings and are currently on sick leave. A gesture of support, or a provocation depending on your point of view…
In any case, they were greeted by sparse stands following a call for boycotts from ultra groups… and a wave of whistles. When their own supporters weren’t throwing mocking “olé”s every time they lost the ball.
Not likely to boost the confidence of the players, starters and substitutes, who we saw gathering in the middle of the pitch at the final whistle. “We said to ourselves that it was a difficult match, but that we didn’t give up. We showed a good state of mind, even if it wasn’t enough, Nice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diou tried to comfort himself at the Ligue 1 + microphone. We are in a complicated period with scenarios that go against us. But we know that it is by remaining united and together that we can reverse the trend. »
A first step towards unity? For players and supporters alike, the next chapter will be written on Thursday when they host Braga. With or without a red nose on your nose?
