The typical team in 4-2-3-1
Guardian
Hugo Lloris (OGC Nice 2005-2008 then OL 2008-2012)
Born and revealed in Nice (78 Ligue 1 matches between 2005 and 2008), Hugo Lloris arrives between Rhône and Saône with the heavy task of replacing legend Gregory Coupet, who left at the end of the 2007-2008 season. A huge challenge that the future world champion takes up brilliantly. In four seasons at OL, he was three times elected best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 (2009, 2010, 2012), won a Coupe de France (2012) and played in a semi-final of the Champions League (2010). Before crossing the Channel to sign for Spurs Tottenham and assert himself as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.
Defenders
Jérémy Pied (OL 2009-2012 – OGC Nice 2012-2016)
Spotted in Grenoble by the Lyon scouts, Jérémy Pied rose through the ranks within the OL Academy until knocking on the door of the pros after a successful loan from FC Metz. In two seasons, he will play around fifty matches under the orders of Claude Puel, who takes him in his luggage to OGC Nice, for 3 million euros. Repositioned right side, he will prove very useful to the Aiglons until 2016, year in which he will leave free in Southampton, at the same time as his favorite coach.
Mathieu Bodmer (OL 2007-2010 then OGC Nice 2013-2017)
LOSC playing master between 2005 and 2007, Mathieu Bodmer gives in to the sirens of the club which has dominated French football since 2002: OL, where he signed for 6.5 million euros. After an encouraging start, where his elegance with the ball at the foot seduced the staff of Alain Perrin, he will be handicapped by injuries and will have to face fierce competition in defense and in midfield. He tries to revive himself at OGC Nice in 2013 after three seasons at PSG and finds the coach who revealed him to LOSC, a certain Claude Puel. An adventure in the form of a successful last-ditch. He will leave in 2017 after two seasons as captain of the Aiglons and will leave the memory of a real boss behind.
François Clerc (OL 2005-2010 then OGC Nice 2010-2012)
OL’s second right-back behind Anthony Reveillère during the second half of Lyon’s reign over Ligue 1, François Clerc arrives at OGC Nice at the end of the 2009-2010 season with international status (13 selections with the Blues between 2006 and 2008). Two seasons later, he joined AS Saint-Etienne after a successful stint on the Côte d’Azur (61 Ligue 1 matches).
Timothée Kolodziejczak (OL 2008-2012 then OGC Nice 2012-2014)
Loaned by RC Lens to OL, who were looking to double the position of left side, the preserve of Italian world champion Fabio Grosso, “Kolo” will finally spend four seasons in the Lyon workforce, during which he does not totals only 14 appearances. OGC Nice smelled the good deal and made him sign free in the 2012-2013 offseason. Two seasons will follow in the skin of a holder (82 games, 4 goals and 6 assists) before a departure for Sevilla FC against compensation of 3 million euros.
Environments
Florent Balmont (OL 2002-2003 then OGC Nice 2004-2008)
A pure product of Lyon training, the pocket midfielder known for its grinta had the bad luck to hatch at a time when OL relied very little on its youngsters. In the Rhône, he was still champion of France in 2003. After a conclusive loan to Toulouse FC, he caught the eye of the Nice recruiters and signed up for the Aiglons at the start of the 2004-2005 season. In four seasons and nearly 150 matches, he will build up solid experience and help stabilize the club in the national elite. He won one of the best recuperating midfielders in the championship with LOSC, where he won the title of champion of France in 2011.
Daniel Bravo (OGC Nice 1980-1983, 1987-1989 and 1999-2000 and OL 1997-1998)
The striker and then star midfielder under the colors of PSG in the 90s first cut his teeth on the side of OGC Nice, where he made his debut in D1 in 1980 at only 17 years old. Called up for the French team two years later, the “Little Prince” saw relegation but remained loyal to his club for a season in D2 before joining the Monegasque neighbor. He made his comeback in Nice, back in D1, during the 1987-1988 season. After a 15-goal season, he signed for PSG in 1990 and entered a new dimension. Seven years later, it was after a mixed experience in Serie A with Parma that he joined OL. Hindered by injuries, he played only 14 league games during the 1997-1998 season. Proof of his attachment to Nice, he ended his career with the red and black jersey on his shoulders in D2 during the 1999-2000 season.
Alassane Pléa (OL 2012-2014 then OGC Nice 2014-2018)
The native of Lille joined the OL training center in 2009. After noticeable services with the CFA, he moved up to the pros but failed to win. It was sold for 500,000 euros at OGC Nice in the summer of 2014 and became one of the darling of the Allianz Riviera. In four seasons and 135 matches in all competitions, he scored 44 goals. At the end of a full 2017/2018 season (21 goals and 7 assists in 49 matches) he tried his luck in the Bundesliga and joined Borussia Mönchengladbach against 23 million.
Hatem Ben Arfa (OL 2004-2008 puis OGC Nice 2015-2016)
“Hatem we love you, Hatem we adore you.” It only took one season for Hatem Ben Arfa to win the hearts of Nice supporters. After five mixed seasons in the Premier League, he signed up for the Aiglons for the 2015-2016 season and was one of the great architects of fourth place for the Niçois, then coached by Claude Puel. Arrived from the INF Clairefontaine with the status of future star of French football, he leaves a more contrasted memory of his time at OL, between flash of genius and spat with his friend in attack also promised a great future. : Karim Benzema.
Ederson (OGC Nice 2005-2008 then OL 2008-2012)
The Brazilian made a name for himself with the French public under the colors of OGC Nice. Between 2005 and 2008, he scored 19 goals and flaunted his fine technique in front of the stands of the Stade du Ray. But his coach Frédéric Antonetti must let him go reluctantly to OL in January 2008 against 14 million euros. In the club of Jean-Michel Aulas, he will leave a much more contrasted memory. Within a bloated workforce, the attacking midfielder will be distinguished by some flashes, especially during his first season in the Rhône. It will be more and more discreet while the club is at the end of its reign. A serious hamstring injury spoils his last seasons. He signed to Lazio in Rome in 2012.
Loïc Rémy (OL 2006-2008 then OGC Nice 2008-2010)
Barred by the revelation Karim Benzema at OL, his training club, Loïc Rémy bounced back in Nice after a loan in Lens. Sold against 8 million euros in the summer of 2008, he scored 30 goals and delivered 8 assists in 75 Ligue 1 matches before flying to Olympique de Marseille in 2010 for compensation of 15.5 million. euros. A successful bet for the Aiglons who will do it again with Alassane Pléa and, most recently, Amine Gouiri. Dropped by OL against 7 million euros at the start of the 2020-2021 season, the young striker (21 years old) from Bourgoin-Jallieu is now unfortunate under the orders of Christophe Galtier. Another nice gift offered by the Lyon leaders.
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