Back after the international break, GYM returned to winning ways on Sunday. In front of the 9,306 spectators at Stade du Ray, the Nice team defeated St Etienne’s Greens, who had been unbeaten for eight games. The victory started to take shape in the 22nd minute when the match referee, Mr. Thual, harshly sent off Stéphanois attacker Bergessio for a clumsy tackle on Mouloungui.
Before that, Nice had a very poor start to the match: Pejcinovic handed the ball back to Payet with a poor pass and then naively collided with the attacker, resulting in an indisputable penalty. The new Blues winger needed no second invitation and converted the penalty (0-1, 11th minute). The Greens nearly extended their lead in the 35th minute, despite being outnumbered, when Payet’s header hit the post.
But returning from the locker rooms, the match swung into an attack-defense game after Mounier’s superb equalizer: well-served by Luboja, he executed a left-footed volley from the left angle of the box, deceiving Janot (1-1, 47th minute). And twenty minutes later, it was logical that Nice took the lead through Ben Saada after a poor clearance by Ebondo (2-1, 67th minute).
Man of the Match for Nice: Chaouki Ben Saada
Coming on at halftime, the Nice technician delivered an outstanding performance. Skillfully navigating between periods of intensity and calm, he managed to speed up the game to challenge a St Etienne defense on the verge of breaking down. Sharp in his ball control, Chaouki secured the win for his team with a powerful shot from 20 meters out.
This victory moves Eric Roy’s men to 12th place, just 2 points away from the podium. Nice will travel to Lens next Saturday.
