"Get your arses into gear, was the chant from the home fans before the match. Even before kick-off, the atmosphere was a curious one, split between anger, celebration and anticipation. Everyone to Paris, read one banner, a reference to their Coupe de France final against Lens in the capital on Friday. Another large tifo celebrated the club captain, Dante, who hoped he would be playing his final game at the Allianz Riviera before retiring at the age of 42."
Nice’s players and staff were attacked by their own fans after a goalless home draw with Metz. The result left Nice facing a two-legged relegation playoff against Saint-Etienne. The season began with Champions League qualifiers and could end with relegation to Ligue 2. The club’s stated ambition under Ineos, bought for 100m in 2019, was to challenge PSG, but results fell short. Nice needed a home league win to avoid the playoff, and Metz were already relegated with only three league wins all season. Metz’s coach Benoit Tavenot had also gone winless for long stretches, yet Nice still failed to win. Fan atmosphere included chants demanding urgency and banners referencing a Coupe de France final and Dante’s potential final match.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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