OGC Nice — Season 2016/17 (approx.)

During the 2016/17 period OGC Nice (commonly called Nice) was managed by Lucien Favre. Favre, a Swiss coach, took charge of the club in 2016 and led a significant improvement in the team's performances in Ligue 1.

• Head coach: Lucien Favre
• League: Ligue 1 (France)
• League performance (2016/17): Nice finished 3rd in Ligue 1 in the 2016/17 season, earning qualification for the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds (this finish followed their strong form under Favre; Nice had also placed 4th in 2015/16 after Favre's arrival).
• Style of play: Favre implemented a compact, organized system emphasizing quick transitions, disciplined defending and rapid combination play from midfield to attack. He often used flexible formations that prioritized possession control and counterattacking opportunities.
• Key players (around 2016/17):
  • Dante (captain, central defender) — experienced leader and defensive organizer.
  • Hatem Ben Arfa — creative attacking midfielder/winger with dribbling and chance-creation ability (joined Nice in 2015 and contributed significantly when available).
  • Eysseric / Alassane Pléa — attacking options (Pléa joined Nice in 2015 and contributed goals; Valère Germain left earlier but other forwards came through).
  • Mario Balotelli — joined Nice in mid-2016; provided a high-profile attacking presence though with an inconsistent spell.
  • Younès Belhanda — playmaker added later (joined 2018), but around 2016/17 the creative burden was shared by Ben Arfa and midfielders like Wylan Cyprien (emerging talent).
• Home stadium: Allianz Riviera (capacity ~35,000)
• Notable achievements around then: Rapid rise in Ligue 1 standings after Favre's appointment, finishing in the top 4 and qualifying for European competition; enhanced defensive organization and development of young talent.

Summary: Under Lucien Favre in the 2016/17 period, OGC Nice became one of Ligue 1's top teams, combining solid defense led by Dante with talented attackers (Ben Arfa, Balotelli) and a tactical system focused on transitions and structure, culminating in a top-3 league finish and European qualification.