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UEL Preview: Under-pressure Sage, Lyon head east
Sage under pressure
Despite a record-setting end to last season, followed by a massive outlay in the summer, Lyon have often flattered to deceive domestically. Their shock elimination in the Coupe de France at the hands of amateurs Bourgoin-Jallieu was a poor result in isolation, but their other recent Ligue 1 McDonald's fixtures have seen them scrape past bottom side Montpellier HSC with an own goal, lose to Stade Brestois and earn a scoreless draw against Toulouse FC, circumstances which have seen them slide down the table to sixth.
There have even been rumors that Sage may be fighting for his job in this match, with Paulo Fonseca, so successful last season with LOSC Lille, now a free agent following his departure from AC Milan. Speaking pre-match, the manager reflected that unease, but retained a brave face, saying, "This is not the first time I have gone through a difficult period. I experienced it at the beginning of my interim spell, in the first two games of last year, and also at the beginning of this season after falling to Rennes and Monaco."
But while Sage may hope to take the long view, the patience of owner John Textor -- already notoriously thin, may be close to being stretched to breaking point given the financial implications of failing to return to Europe next season. Too, for this match, Sage will match wits with Jose Mourinho, but without his first choice fullbacks, Nicolás Tagliafico and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Abner and youngster Saël Kumbedi are able deputies but there is surely also tension in the squad with a raft of rumoured departures mooted, something that could make this a tough ask for Sage and his Gones.
𝐍𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/QAp7jyRYCt
— OGC Nice 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@ogcnice_eng) January 22, 2025
Nice look to save face
As for Nice, despite a frustrating loss to LOSC Lille on Friday, they've slowly crept up the table in recent weeks and remain within striking distance of the top four. Their trip to Elfsborg will thus likely be seen as an unnecessary distraction, especially as their treatment table remains relatively full. Haise has even gone to the lengths of leaving out the likes of Gaëtan Laborde, Tanguy Ndombélé and Hicham Boudaoui, no doubt looking towards Sunday's massive match with Olympique de Marseille.
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