The qualification of OGC Nice for the final of the French Cup could disrupt the schedule of the Ligue 1-Ligue 2 playoffs, scheduled for the same week.
A new puzzle for the Professional Football League (LFP)? OGC Nice’s qualification for the final of the French Cup, after their victory (2-0) on Wednesday night against Strasbourg, could lead LFP to modify the schedule of the playoffs between the 16th of Ligue 1 and the winner of the Ligue 2 play-offs, if the Niçois were to participate in them.
Currently in 15th place in Ligue 1, with a 4-point lead over Auxerre, who is in 16th and in the relegation playoff spot, with four matchdays left in the championship, Claude Puel’s men are far from being safe and could potentially end up playing these crucial matches, which could potentially send them to Ligue 2 in case of defeat. Scheduled for May 21 for the first leg and May 24 for the second leg, these two matches surround the final of the French Cup, which will take place on Friday, May 22, after being moved forward by a day.
The same scenario occurred last year for Reims
A scheduling conflict that is obviously impossible for the Niçois to handle in the scenario where they would be involved in the playoffs. A change of date would be inevitable, but the slots in the calendar are limited and no solution should fully suit the Eagles, who will conclude their Ligue 1 season on Sunday, May 17 – the traditional season-ending multiplex has been postponed by a day – with a potentially decisive match against Metz (18th).
If the first leg of the playoffs is moved to Tuesday, May 19, there would be only 48 hours of recovery between the two matches. Similarly, if the first leg is rescheduled to Wednesday, May 20, there would be only two days before the French Cup final. For the second leg, there should be fewer problems, as the LFP will leave an eight-day gap between the two matches: a rescheduling to Tuesday, May 26, or Wednesday, May 27, should be planned, allowing enough time for the Niçois to prepare for this potential match.
Such a disruption in the schedule only concerns the scenario where Nice finishes the Ligue 1 season in a relegation playoff spot. But this situation is not unprecedented, as it had already occurred last season for Stade de Reims. In 16th place and in the relegation playoffs, Reims had played the French Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain. A dreadful end to the season for Reims, who were defeated by the future European champion (3-0), before losing the playoffs against FC Metz and descending to Ligue 2. It’s a scenario that all of Nice hopes to avoid…
