Six wins, six draws and one loss. Although having conceded his first defeat in Ligue 1, Saturday April 8, against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in search of points, the record of the coach of OGC Nice, Didier Digard, is more than flattering . In 2023, the Riviera club notably beat four members of the top 5 of the championship (Lens, Marseille, Monaco and Lille). Unlike all the other tricolor clubs, this dynamic is accompanied by a course accomplished at continental level. Last French team in the running in Europe, Nice moves, Thursday, April 13 at 9 p.m., on the lawn of FC Basel, in the quarter-finals of the Europa League Conference.
“Didier Digard has changed mentalities, attitudes, behavior on the pitch. Now they’re a fun team to watch.”, observes Luis Fernandez, BeIN Sports consultant and who comments on the Champions League. Appointed in January to replace Lucien Favre, the young technician from Nice (36) has reshaped his team’s game; like several other Ligue 1 coaches this season.
“There is a wave of new coaches that brings a lot of freshness, ideas, and forward-looking games. They are rewardedanalyzes Benoît Cheyrou, consultant for Prime Video. We see it with Igor Tudor in Marseille, with Franck Haise in Lens, Bruno Genesio in Rennes. » In many French teams, an offensive philosophy asserts itself, based on defensive solidity, high recoveries and rapid projections.
Often regarded with disdain by other leagues – to the point of inheriting the unflattering nickname « Farmer’s league » (farmers’ league) – Ligue 1 has, for several years, beefed up its game. At the end of March, Marseille coach Igor Tudor admitted that he had been amazed by the level offered. “France is less considered and it is a mistake, insisted in The team the Croatian technician, landed this summer in France. It’s an exciting league, with great stadiums, talented players, and if I had to describe it, I would say it’s super tough. » According to him, the standing of Ligue 1 has nothing to envy to other European championships.
The return of “Black Thursday”
The progress of the French championship is far from materializing at the continental level. Once again this year, the various teams competing in European competitions have hardly distinguished themselves. In the Champions League, Olympique de Marseille (OM) still can’t do it, and failed in fourth place in its group in the fall. For its part, PSG again came up against a “great European”, against Bayern Munich in the round of 16. And above all, “Black Thursday” returned at the end of February, a catchphrase known to struggling French clubs during Europa League evenings. After disappointing performances, in which FC Nantes, Stade Rennes and AS Monaco seemed able to compete, without realizing their hopes, the journey of the three French contenders was interrupted before the round of 16.
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