Nantes vs Nice preview - Puel keen to develop passing game

Posted Saturday, September 20, 2014 by PA

Claude Puel has underlined his philosophy and ambition for Nice ahead of their Ligue 1 clash with Nantes at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.

The 53-year-old spoke about following the Barcelona "example" with a fluid passing style and says the skills he sees at the training ground every day prove to him his players are capable of carrying it out.

"When I see the quality of our training, I am ambitious for my players. The potential is there. In our team, we have many technicians," he said on the club's official website, ogcnice.com.

"We will develop a game based on passes. We have technical players who are eager to express themselves."

Back-to-back defeats against Bordeaux and Marseille had overshadowed a decent start to the season before the international break, but Les Aiglons responded with a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Metz last time out.

That triumph, their second in five games, drew them level on points with Nantes but they still sit behind them on goal difference.

Nantes, who preserved their Ligue 1 status last season on their return from a four-year exile, have been a tough team to breakdown and have only conceded four goals so far. It is up front that they have had problems, with the joint-lowest goals tally in Ligue 1, but Nice will have to be at their best to travel back with maximum points.

Puel highlighted that one of the biggest challenges facing his players is finding a way to get past stubborn opponents.

He added: "Sure, some teams will give us a big physical challenge. We must be able to respond to them, with more physical density."

Puel will be without the services of Dario Cvitanich for the trip to western France after the Argentine forward picked up a calf problem last week, while Didier Digard and Mahamane Traore are still not ready to return to the fold.

His opposite number Michel Der Zakarian also has absentees, with Vincent Bessat still sidelined by a calf injury, while keeper Remy Riou is closing in on a return but the game against Nice may be too soon for him.

It will be a special occasion for Nantes duo Olivier Veigneau and Jordan Veretout, who will both be celebrating 100 appearances for the Canaries.

Veigneau reached the landmark during the 2-0 defeat at Lille last week, while Veretout is expected bring up his ton against Nice.

For Nantes right-back Chaker Alhadhur, however, Saturday is all about getting back to winning ways and giving the home fans something to shout about.

"The fans are waiting for a reaction. We're working to be ready Saturday. We also have the opportunity to go back near the top of the table. It will not spoil it," he told the club's official website, fcnantes.com.