OGC Nice’s escape from relegation to Division 2 in 1990 – courtesy of an epic play-off win over Strasbourg – is synonymous with Roby Langers, a close-knit team, a fiery Stade du Ray crowd and Le Gym’s manager at the time, Carlos Bianchi. So, ahead of tonight’s play-off first leg against Saint-Étienne, the Argentine coach sent us this message for the club’s staff, players and fans.

“Ahead of tonight’s play-off first leg, I wanted to say ‘hello’ to OGC Nice, to its senior staff and to its fans.

36 years ago, we went through the same, seemingly impossible situation. When I took over the team, we were bottom of the league and Roby Langers would be out injured for the following two months.

We had to believe that we were in charge of our own destiny. 22 games later, having overtaken the two teams immediately above us, we went into a play-off against a Strasbourg side that featured two future World Cup winners: Youri Djorkaeff and Frank Lebœuf.

Although I hadn’t used Miloš Đelmaš much, I gave him another shot in that play-off and told him, ‘In two weeks’ time, you’ll be free, but before you leave, you need to give everything for the club and the second leg will be yours.’

 

Ahead of the second leg, after we’d lost the first leg 3-1, I told the team, ‘You need to give everything to keep the club in the top flight.’ No one believed that we could do it… but we did. We saved the club. After a historic 6-0 win, the club was still in Division 1 and I moved back to Paris to register with the job centre. I’m explaining all of this to say that anything can happen, even in a season as difficult as this one. We didn’t give up.

So, WE NEED TO BELIEVE.

I’d like to give my support to the team and to the staff in their bid to stay in Ligue 1, which is very important for OGC Nice. You can and will do it, as we did in 1990.

ISSA NISSA"

Carlos Bianchi, with you and with OGC Nice

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