Nice got a chance to rest before the final stretch of the season. The match of the 32nd round against PSG was postponed to the following week, so starting from the game against Le Havre, the Eagles face a marathon of three matches in nine days, which will determine how successful Fariole’s first season at the club will be. The first part of the campaign was not brilliant, considering the constant narrow victories, but it was very effective in terms of results. However, by the end of 2023, it became apparent that opponents had adapted to Nice’s game. The defense ceased to be as reliable, although the team still conceded fewer goals than any other in the league. Offensive problems did not disappear, leading to a six-game winless streak from early February to early March and a drop from second to fifth place. Since then, the Eagles’ results have improved – in the last six matches, only one defeat was recorded, with two draws and three victories. Fariole’s team has been undefeated for four matches. Moreover, all three victories during this period against Lens, Lorient, and Strasbourg were with three goals scored in each, which looks promising compared to previous attacking performances. Only five teams in the current campaign have scored fewer goals than Nice.
The last two matches of Le Havre in the championship have added confidence to the team’s fans that their favorites will not return instantly to Ligue 2 after last year’s promotion. First, there was a sensational draw with PSG at the Parc des Princes, where the favorites had reason to celebrate salvaging a 3-1 deficit – resulting in a 3-3 draw in the end. A week later at home, Elsner’s team didn’t miss their chance. Keita’s brace and Ayu’s goal brought Elsner’s wards an important victory over Strasbourg – 3:1. This victory not only marked the first win since March 10th but also practically eliminated the need for Le Havre to think about direct relegation to the second division. Now, the advantage over Lorient is six points, which, with a significantly better goal difference: -9 against -26, practically guarantees tranquility in this regard. However, Le Havre could still participate in the promotion play-off between divisions because 16th-placed Metz is only three points behind. Nevertheless, Elsner’s team has a much better goal difference, so just catching up with them won’t be enough for the Grenats.
