Ligue 1
Lorient, meanwhile, can reflect on a largely successful return to the top flight after finishing 10th last season, their joint-highest Ligue 1 position since 2013/14. Alexandre Dujeux has now taken charge and will be eager to build on that foundation, although there are concerns following a disappointing finish to the previous campaign. Les Merlus won just two of their final eight league games [2W, 2D, 2L], while the departures of Pablo Pagis and Bamba Dieng have created an obvious attacking void. The pair accounted for 20 of Lorient’s 48 league goals last season, leaving Dujeux with the difficult task of finding alternative sources of goals. Nevertheless, the new Lorient boss has fond memories of the Allianz Riviera, having guided Angers to a 1-0 victory at this ground last season. His side also appears to have a clean bill of health heading into the opener. A 3—4—2—1 pattern is expected with Tosin Ayegun leading the Merlus attacking line against Nice.
OGC Nice vs FC Lorient begins at 19:45 [GMT+1] on Saturday, August 22, at Allianz Riviera. Nice will be hoping to put last season’s disappointment firmly behind them when they welcome Lorient to the Allianz Riviera for their Ligue 1 opener, with both sides beginning the campaign under new management. Les Aiglons endured their lowest Ligue 1 finish in 12 years last term, ending the campaign in the bottom three before a play-off victory over Saint-Étienne spared them a first season in the second tier since 2001/02. Their summer has done little to ease concerns, with a number of players departing and relatively few reinforcements arriving, including Axel Witsel. That leaves new head coach Olivier Pantaloni under pressure to make an immediate impact, particularly after poor results last season contributed to ugly scenes in the stands. However, Nice’s home record offers little reason for optimism, as they are currently enduring an 11-match winless run on home soil, drawing seven and losing four [0W, 7D, 4L]. Le Gym have also failed to win their opening league fixture in each of the last five seasons, recording three draws and two defeats [0W, 3D, 2L]. History against Lorient should provide some encouragement. Les Aiglons have lost just one of their last eight meetings with Les Merlus [4W, 3D, 1L], while they are unbeaten in their last eight home head-to-heads [5W, 3D, 0L]. Laurent Abergel remains a long-term absentee for the hosts while Mohamed Abdelmonem faces a late fitness test. Elye Wahi is expected at the attacking end of Nice’s 3—4—2—1 pattern against Les Merlus.