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An iron defense: the other key to the success of OGC Nice

2021-10-17T07:41:06.412Z


After eight days of the championship, OGC Nice has conceded only four goals and impresses with the strength of its rearguard. The current 3rd place of the Aiglons can be explained in large part by the performance of this sector of play.


On these first two months of competition, we generally evoke, on the side of OGC Nice, the excellent start to the season of Amine Gouiri or the express integration of Andy Delort. And for good reason, Christophe Galtier's men have already scored 17 goals in Ligue 1, an average of more than two goals per game which allows them to occupy 3rd place in Ligue 1 behind Lens and the untouchable Paris Saint- Germain. Nonetheless, it is another area of ​​Nice play that should receive attention to explain this excellent start to the season: defense. Since the start of the year, Argentine goalkeeper Walter Benitez has only fetched the ball in his net four times. The best defense in Ligue 1 is indeed that of OGC Nice.



The Galtier leg already present



Since his beginnings as head coach on the bench of Saint-Etienne, Christophe Galtier has struggled to get rid of the label of "defensive coach" who only bet his success through a game of rapid transition and cons. attacks. His time in Lille, punctuated by a title of champion of France last May, showed that the Marseillais was able to offer a more attractive game, carried towards the attack. Christophe Galtier knows how to modify his game plan according to the quality of his group, but also according to the opponent. However, the strength of the rear guard remains the cornerstone of Christophe Galtier's philosophy. Moreover, the figures corroborate this observation since last season, the LOSC finished 2nd best defense in the championship,after having occupied the first place for a long time in front of the PSG.

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  • Ligue 1 fixtures and results

  • League 1 standings

Read alsoResults, builder, beautiful image: why Christophe Galtier is the fashionable French coach

But who says defensive strength does not necessarily mean rigorous and unspectacular play. The LOSC and now the OGC Nice of Christophe Galtier, it is an involvement of the whole team in the defensive tasks. In Nice, we also observe a high pressing when the ball is lost in order to recover quickly and avoid putting the defense in danger. In addition, Galtier's 4-4-2 prevents the opponent from going through the corridors thanks to an excellent occupation of the ground. Even Olympique de Marseille, yet in great offensive form during their trip to Nice (match finally interrupted after incidents in the stands) had experienced the worst difficulties in approaching the goals of Walter Benitez. With a well-established game plan that is perfectly adopted and executed by its players,Nice manages the small feat of being both an impregnable fortress and at the same time a pleasant team to see evolve thanks to its rapid transitions and its ability to hold the ball (70% of ball possession against Brest on October 2) .



Solidity based on a double pair



Obviously when we salute the defensive animation of a team, it is quite naturally that all eyes are on the central hinge. And in Nice, it works more than well. However, the site was not won in advance for Galtier. Amputee of William Saliba, gone to OM, the Aiglons also had to reinstate the Brazilian Dante, whose level could raise some questions after his very long injury associated with his age. The former Bayern will turn 38 on Monday and only played nine Ligue 1 games last season due to a cruciate ligament rupture. And yet, the Nice captain has obviously drunk an elixir of youth this season. The former Wolfsburg player is in sparkling form. Very solid in duels, rarely taken by default,he is the guarantor of the defensive base of the Aiglons. And his association with the young Jean-Clair Todibo (21 years old), more spirited, displays a perfect complementarity and is reminiscent of the Lille hinge of Galtier who also consisted of a veteran (José Fonte) and a young thumb (Sven Botman).

To this ultra efficient hinge, we must also add another pair that hits the mark: that of the midfielder composed of Mario Lemina and Pablo Rosario.

The Gabonese and the Dutch succeed in a monstrous job in the recovery.

Against Brest (2-1), this double pair managed to steal 40 balls from their opponent of the day.

Here again, it is impossible not to draw the parallel with the duo Benjamin André / Boubakary Soumaré who disgusted many Ligue 1 games last season.

Nice's defensive strength therefore requires in-depth tactical work and is not limited to the simple central hinge.

The Ligue 1 technicians know it, it will be necessary to fight this season to shake the nets of Walter Benitez.

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2021-10-17

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