Thirteen years later, the trauma still hangs over the city. The Gym thought they were lucky in the draw with Vannes (L2) who showed up at Ray. To everyone’s surprise, Antonetti’s men finally saw the ticket to the final slip away from under their noses and in the rain.
Two new failures, more logical against Lille (2011) and OM (2012), stretched the black series of semi-finals and deprived the red and black public of a return to the noisy and colorful Stade de France.
Because if the people of Nice can be capricious for a history of parking or planning when it is necessary to furnish the Allianz Riviera, they know how to respond on the other hand en masse when it comes to rallying the Capital. They were 25,000 in Saint-Denis in 2006 for the defeat against Nancy (2-1).
It was for the late Coupe de la Ligue. This Tuesday evening, they will be a little more numerous in the Plaine du Var (around 28,000 spectators expected) to push their team towards a possible 5e Coupe de France final in club history.
Hope is all the stronger since, twenty-five years later, Dame Coupe de France remains the last guest in the Côte d’Azur trophy cabinet (1997). Frédéric Gioria, one of Christophe Galtier’s assistants, remembers it as a good captain.
“He had alluded to this magnificent memory last year, before our entry into the running in Nîmes, remembered Morgan Schneiderlin. The Cup is an incredible human adventure. I had the chance to win the FA Cup with Manchester (United), I know what joy that can give. Celebrating it with the family, with the supporters, is forever anchored in my life. I hope to experience it with Nice. Winning a trophy would be extraordinary, especially for the young players in the squad. Starting a career with a title is exceptional.”
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With Daniliuc, Todibo and Dolberg
After eliminating PSG and correcting OM, we will have to do the job against Versailles, a surprise N2 team but not on alternating current. Leader after 19 days – ahead of the professional reserves of Lorient, Caen and Guingamp – the Ile-de-France club has the best defense (12 goals) and the second most prolific attack (28 goals) in its pool. Téfécé, which leads the dance in Ligue 2, had paid the price, in 8e. At home moreover (0-1).
“This is the magic of the Cup. On paper, nobody sees Versailles eliminating Nice in view of the season that the Gym is having, of what Galtier and the club represent today. It’s inconceivable… and yet possible, testifies Julien Sablé, a former Aiglon who lived the nightmare against Vannes. But I know Galtier, I know he will prepare this half with humility, as if he were facing PSG. Preparing his team well is his great strength.”
The suspensions of Dante and Kluivert have necessarily changed his plans, but the Nice coach has resources in his workforce. Absent or not used in Strasbourg, Daniliuc, Todibo and Dolberg should start. Just like Lemina and Stengs, who have not started for weeks. More than an eleven, it’s a collective that can make an entire city travel.
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The number
13. Against Versailles, Nice will play the 13th Coupe de France semi-final in its history. For a record so far of 8 defeats (1931, 1932, 1945, 1955, 1957, 1977, 1988, 2011) and 4 victories (1952, 1954, 1978, 1997).
The declaration
“I hope Versailles will not make a Calais (the CFA club went to the final against Nantes in 2000, editor’s note). I was a supporter of this Calais team when I was little. Many French supporters will encourage Versailles, we hope to shatter their dream.” Morgan Schneiderlin.
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