Following a fulfilled career, and a trophy cabinet that is bulging at the seams, Christophe Dugarry swapped his boots for the microphone. A pundit for Canal +, the former Bordeaux man joined RMC where he has hosted the show “Team Duga” since the start of the season. An idol in Bordeaux, the World Champion also keeps an eye on the progress made by OGC Nice. 48 hours before the 31st match of the season, he picked up the phone to play his own game. A friendly tone and direct with his opinions, the former forward made his choices, topic by topic. So Christophe, between Nice and Bordeaux, if you had to choose…

…A playing style

The style of both sides isn’t as different as you may think. Of course, OGC Nice have more talent at the moment. But since January, Bordeaux have been moving forward coherently. Their team looks like what Jocelyn Gourvenec wanted to put in place, with a possession game that is similar to how the Aiglons play, even if there’s less domination and they play a little more directly.”

…A defence

“Defensively, the Aiglons have more talent. The have been confident since their huge season last year. The Girondins have been less consistent. They have, at times, let things go as a group. But from January, that has changed: everyone is pulling their weight, they have found a balance. You can’t compare Dante, who has won lots of titles, or Baysse, who is an excellent defender, to the young Bordeaux defence. Nice also have stronger full-backs.”

…An attack

“In this area, the Bordelais have some good little players. I really like Laborde, who has good variety. Rolan lacks consistency but has a lot of talent. Kamano also does some good things. Despite that, I think that Nice are more of a certainty with Balotelli and Belhanda particularly. Without forgetting Plea who is injured. Overall, I would say that the experience is with Nice and the energy with Bordeaux.”

“Gourvennec is a future Lucien Favre”

…A coach

“Both of them! They have an identical philosophy. Jocelyn Gourvennec, who I grew up with at Marseille, is from the Nantes school of thought: he loves the game. On a personal level, he is maybe a bit more withdrawn, but for me, he is a future Lucien Favre. The only difference is in terms of age and experience. Apart from that, they have an identical way of playing, they are very fair,  coherent and fresh with their analysis. I think Lucien Favre is a top coach, with a focus on the details. He is a coach of a very high level, that’s for sure.”

…The club that surprises me

“That’s Nice, and by far! To succeed in staying with Monaco and Paris for so many games, that is exceptional! Bordeaux had six complicated months. But Nice, they have been there or thereabouts for a year and a half. They have moved forward, despite having a smaller budget.”

“Nice, it’s the model to follow”

…A project

“Both clubs have very different ways of working. Bordeaux had the structural advantage on Nice, with the Haillan training complex and even the Chaban Delmas stadium, whereas Nice had everything to build.  The Gym are doing everything you need to do to become a big club. I believe that today this is the model to follow. I speak to President Rivère at times: he put the skills where they were needed. Be it Julien Fournier as MD, the coach, or even amongst the scouting team. They anticipate things, which allows them to nab some good players. Even if it doesn’t always secure success, you can feel that the club is always looking to move forward. And now, it is a club that is attracting a lot of attention. 

…A dynamic

“The dynamic is with the Girondins. They have the momentum and their confidence is sky high. There were better moments earlier in the season to come up against them. They will arrive self-assured, and they have nothing to lose. It will be a really tricky match for the Niçois. Bordeaux are in great great form!”

“I moaned a lot. Like Balotelli”

…A player that is like me

I grumble as much as Balotelli. His qualités are known by all, but he moans a lot. That sums me up quite well…

…A city

I choose Bordeaux without a doubt! I really like Nice and the Côte d’Azur. But bring the sun from Nice to Bordeaux, and it would be the most beautiful city in the world! I love the city but also the region: the Charentes, the Basque Country, the Landes, the beaches of dunes…

…A glass of red or rosé

Neither! I don’t drink wine at all, even though I have a nice wine cellar. I am not very wine. And when I drink it, it’s normally white wine as an aperitif… A draw then.

…The sea or the ocean

The ocean, because it’s what I am used to. There are more waves. The water is colder for us, but we get on with it. And I am not too keen on pebbled beaches, where there isn’t enough space.

…A stadium

Today, both clubs have a magnificent stadium. When you pass by, you can’t be but taken aback by their architecture. I can’t understand why they aren’t more full. Especially in Nice, where something is happening: there are some good players, a good dynamic. Both clubs have enormous similarities. I would say the Allianz Riviera just ahead of the Matmut Atlantique because the traffic makes it difficult to get to.

​

Between the two clubs’ old grounds, I would pick Chaban-Delmas, of course. The Ray, it’s part of history. It is a stadium that represents a lot for the people of Nice. It was difficult to go and play there.  But the architecture of the Chaban with the arches was unique. It was less of a trap than the Ray though, where we knew we were going to be on the receiving end of their supporters.

Fabien Hill (with C.D.)

---