The gravity at its peak, the weekend meeting of the Aiglons had all the trademarks of a big night… of survival.
- From supporters to players, the match against Le Mans could have sounded the death knell for the red and black club after many internal upheavals and too much amateurism perceived from the outside regarding the management at all levels by leaders who were hardly comfortable with the codes governing football. After the dismissal of Didier Ollé-Nicole, the man who never knew how to instill the spirit of rebellion in this group, an internal solution was chosen
-
—a policy marked by Niçois identity, the Roy-Gioria-Marsiglia trio tasked with saving the century-old club.
Facing a Le Mans team that has known only five seasons among the elite, one might think the weight of history would put deadly pressure on the Gym’s temple and the survival of a former great club seeking its new bearings after eight consecutive years in L1.
Curiously, the opposite was palpable on the side of the Léon Bollé stadium where OGC Nice seemed calm before this crucial match. MUC 72 was paralyzed. The return of Olivier Echouafni and Eric Roy’s grit during the match, with a Nissarte scarf around his neck, gave young players what they lacked: pioneers.
With endearing paternalism, the new manager assured and reassured his troops throughout a long battle won by wear. Without brilliance, the Niçois achieved victory with what they had lacked since the start of the season: the grinta.
A rediscovered combativeness at all levels, visible in details like the particularly expressive post-goal joy, with Loïc Rémy delivering for his team in the 76th minute.
A minute after an arbitration confusion regarding the clash in the box between a Le Mans player and David Ospina. Some referees would have awarded a penalty and undoubtedly the situation of OGCN would have been very different in terms of the challenge of coming back to the score.
Football is also about the success that guides you to an escape route for some, the promised flames for others.
8 points now separate Nice from its rival of the year while ten matches remain to be played. Caution is essential but fervor has already gained ground, as evidenced by the hundreds of supporters who came to Sarthe to support their favorites. It is said that true friends are seen at the edge of the abyss, and tonight the supporters were one of the vectors of an hoped-for renewal. A spirit to restore, on and off the field.
Nevertheless, the unease is far from dissipated, the relative weakness of the followers in the race for retention playing the role of a bonus. If the record for the lowest number of points obtained by a first non-relegated team is likely to be “broken” in 2010, it will undoubtedly not be the case from one season to another. OGC Nice seems to still have a chance to seize.
A full restructuring seems necessary in this club where passion is present but management is lacking. To ensure that the wind of amateurism does not carry the club away over time, vigilance remains essential. At all levels.
As they say in Nice, Mefi! So that we can say again, Merci!
For more information: www.ogcnice.com
