The Aiglons arrive at this decisive moment with a heavy heart. Playing away in this double-header playoff without their fans and key striker Elye Wahi (suspended) makes this challenge even more daunting. The Nice faithful face another disappointment as they’ll be confined to their homes for both legs—the first in Saint-Étienne on Tuesday, the return at Allianz Riviera on Friday under closed doors.

Unfavorable conditions pile up for Nice

Beyond the absence of supporters, the Gym faces multiple setbacks. The loss of Wahi for the first leg compounds their woes, along with the shortened recovery window following last week’s Coupe de France final. International call-ups have further disrupted preparations, keeping Wahi, Mamadou Diouf and Nicolas Mendy unavailable until Friday.

For the remaining players, uncertainty looms large. AS Saint-Étienne arrives as a formidable opponent, having strengthened their squad last summer despite relegation, while Nice’s ambitions were derailed by Champions League qualification hopes.

An uphill battle

Since August, Nice has suffered 26 defeats in 50 matches—a true ordeal that must end here. The Aiglons will need to channel Friday’s determination against Lens and eliminate individual errors that marred their cup final defeat. Optimism persists in the Nice camp, driven by the desire to secure the jobs of 200 staff and allow captain Dante to retire in Ligue 1.