Standing alone against the odds. That’s the feeling gripping the OGC Nice squad as they approach this relegation playoff. The club’s very survival in France’s top flight hinges on the outcome of this two-legged tie, but the team won’t have the backing of their fans—neither in the away nor home leg.

Facing an uphill battle, the Gym will have to contend with multiple setbacks. Elye Wahi’s suspension for the first leg, a shortened recovery period following last weekend’s Coupe de France final loss to Lens, and the uncertainty surrounding several international players who may be called up at any moment. Wahi, Diouf, and Mendy will remain unavailable until after Friday’s return fixture.

The challenge only grows when considering the opponent. AS Saint-Étienne, despite their recent relegation, have built a squad designed for Ligue 1 prominence and reinforced their ranks last summer. Meanwhile, Nice’s ambitions of competing in the Champions League qualifying rounds have left them with a depleted squad this season.

An unprecedented season

Since August 6 of last year, Nice has suffered 26 defeats in 50 matches. This difficult campaign could yet find a positive resolution if the team channels the spirit shown in last Friday’s draw against Lens and eliminates the individual errors that have plagued their season. Optimism remains among the players in Nice, driven by the desire to secure the future of the 200 club employees and allow manager Dante to retire with the team still in Ligue 1.