AS Monaco - OGC Nice: The Derby de la Côte d'Azur

The Derby de la Côte d'Azur – a heated contest between two major clubs located near or on the Côte d'Azur river. On Sunday, fans of OGC Nice will make a jaunt to their billionaire rivals AS Monaco at the Stade Louis II. This derby kicked off at a chilly night in the year of 1953 and sixty-one years later it still rages on. The meaning of the rivalry is primarily geographical with Nice and Monaco only twenty miles away.

Monaco is always associated to opulence and luxury compared to the less privileged Nice. At the same time, Monaco are the more successful sporting side winning seven championships whereas Nice won four. These factors result in the debate of who is the pride of the city causing it to be an impassioned derby.

Preview

AS Monaco are entering into this derby with a 3-1 loss to Guingamp in the Coupe de France semi-finals. Their recent form has been shaky and mediocre with three wins in six games; resulting in rumours of Claudio Ranieri being sacked in the summer. On the other hand, OGC Nice are going through a rough patch with their last win coming in mid-March. Form set aside, both sides are expected to pour their hearts out in their pursuit to be the distinguished club of the Côte d'Azur.

Ranieri’s side are on their way to a trophyless season as they have no hope of catching up with PSG in the Ligue 1 and were kicked out embarrassingly in the Coupe de France. After losing their past two games to Monaco, the Les Aiglons now look for redemption from their rivals.

Team News

Home side Monaco are missing long-term absentee Falcao with a knee injury. Layvin Kurzawa suffered a thigh injury against Rennes last weekend, keeping him out for three weeks. Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic (tibia) and Lucas Ocampos (virus) are back from their respective injuries and are fit for selection.

Nice will remain without Nemanja Pejcinovic and Alexy Bosetti who are both sidelined with injuries. Mahamane Traoré has returned to training but is a doubt against Monaco. Manager Claude Puel is confident Dario Cvitanich will recover from his thigh injury in time for Sunday’s clash. Captain Didier Digard has returned from suspension and is available for selection.