Strasbourg arrive on the Côte d’Azur with three fresh faces in its starting line-up, as Hugo Oliveira turns to youth and new energy for Sunday’s 17:15 Ligue 1 trip to Nice.
Quick facts
- Karim Coulibaly, Dario Essugo and Conrad Harder make their first league starts of the season for Strasbourg.
- Coulibaly replaces injured captain Ismaël Doukouré in central defence.
- The 19-year-old German joined Strasbourg from Werder Bremen in the summer for €20 million.
- Nice start Algeria international Mohamed Amoura on the left despite his late return from international duty.
Oliveira has handed Coulibaly his first start after Doukouré’s absence removed Strasbourg’s captain from the heart of the defence. The Germany Under-21 international, signed from Werder Bremen during the summer window, is given an immediate test away from home.
Portuguese midfielder Essugo also comes into the side from the opening whistle for the first time this campaign. Oliveira has further reshaped his attack by selecting Danish striker Harder to lead the line.
The changes give Strasbourg a markedly different spine for a demanding evening in Nice, with Coulibaly, Essugo and Harder all beginning a Ligue 1 match for the first time this season.
Nice coach Olivier Pantaloni has kept faith with the anticipated side. Amoura starts on the left of the home attack, even after returning later than several team-mates from international duty.
The 26-year-old Algeria forward brings considerable international experience, with 50 caps and 19 goals for his country, as Nice look to make home advantage count against a Strasbourg side forced into a defensive adjustment.
