Ineos-owned Nice in disarray before French Cup final against Lens
Nice players train at the Stade de France ahead of Friday's French Cup final against Lens (FRANCK FIFE) Nice can win a first trophy in almost three decades when they play Lens in Friday's French Cup final, but the Ineos-owned club are in disarray and more preoccupied with maintaining their top-flight status. "Lens are favourites and this will practically be a home game for them. They are almost obliged to win," said Nice coach Claude Puel, summing up how most observers imagine the outcome of the match at the Stade de France.
It has already been a fine season for Lens, who finished second to all-conquering Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, falling not far short of a first French title since 1998. Now they are hoping to win the French Cup for the first time in their history, having lost all three previous final appearances -- the last of those also came in 1998. Nice, in contrast, have endured a dreadful season and ended the Ligue 1 campaign in the relegation play-off place after winning just two of their last 24 games.
Suddenly the prospect of a first piece of silverware since they last won the French Cup in 1997 is completely overshadowed by what will follow Friday's showpiece -- they must win a two-legged play-off next week against Saint-Etienne in order to remain in Ligue 1. Nobody gives them a chance against Lens, but history could repeat itself here: as well as the year of their last Cup win, 1997 was also the last year they were relegated. "It is still a final, so of course we will give our all.
But the two matches that come after are more important. We want to stay in Ligue 1. That is our only ambition," admitted Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere.
Last week's 0-0 draw with relegated bottom club Metz ended with angry fans invading the pitch, throwing smoke bombs and forcing players to run to the dressing room for cover. Ineos had big ambitions when the company of British entrepreneur Jim Ratcliffe bought the Cote d'Azur club in 2019. They have had three top-five finishes since then, and lost the French Cup final in 2022.