After their victory over St-Etienne, the Aiglons switched their focus straight onto their match against Rennes, the next step on the Red and Blacks’ journey. Thinking only about tomorrow in order to remain on track, without taking notice of what is going on around them.

Apart from the sentimental aspect of a clash between Nice and St-Etienne, which is far from insignificant for Niçois of all generations, there was equally a strong sporting importance to the 24th match of L1. Like last year, the Aiglons did the necessary in order to increase the gap between them and their opponent (extended to 16 points after Wednesday’s game).

The slight difference between the two clashes was that they fell at different stages of the season. As opposed to the encounter in 2016, which was the 37th game of the season, Wednesday’s game took place at the start of February. 14 games are still left to play. Well aware of the path that lies ahead of them and "concentrated solely on their game", as they have hammered home for the past weeks, the teammates of Paul Baysse have not wavered from their path following the precious victory over their rival at the top of the table.

CARPE DIEM

Even better, they have used it to reinforce their philosophy and to take confidence before travelling to the Stade Rennais on Sunday (3pm kick-off). Without hiding their own ambition, as professionals’’ as the captain summed up on RMC on Thursday. But at the same time, not losing their heads in the top places of the table.

"We are here and we are following our own path, explained Alassane Plea on Wednesday evening. We are there and thereabouts,  we play our games and try to win as many points as possible. Everybody talks about Paris and Monaco? That’s great, that way we are left in peace and the pressure is on them. We have a good lead on the teams below us, that’s good, but we can’t ease off the pedal or think that our work is done. Quite the opposite, we need to continue working to make that lead even greater. For the moment, we are well-placed. It’s down to us to continue."

With one sole focus: the trip to Roazhon Park. That famous expression ’the next match’ so loved by the players but so hated by the fans.

An idea summing up the best way to "seize the present without thinking about tomorrow", an ancient philosophy that couldn’t be more relevant…

C.D.

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