Facing a Marseille team that was clearly superior, Nice was defeated (2-1) at the Vélodrome Stadium. The Azuréens are eliminated from both national cups and must now focus on the league and the crucial away game on Saturday in Ajaccio.
After 2009, against Vannes, Nice says goodbye to the League Cup just one step away from the final at the Stade de France. Too clumsy and not up to the challenge, René Marsiglia’s players never really managed to trouble a Marseille team that logically won 2 to 1. The Olympians will play their third consecutive final in the League Cup while the Niçois once again say goodbye to this competition.
Mounier answers Rémy
It was first the Phocéens who opened the score in the 17th minute following a magnificent curling shot by former Niçois Loïc Remy, completely to the left of the box. The Gym stumbles and fails to trouble the extremely well-grouped Marseille defense, which leaves no space. But Nice plays on and gradually lulls its opponent by circulating the ball.
A minute before the end of the first half, Elliot Grandin, making his first start in red and black, retrieves the ball from the Marseille scorer’s feet and shifts it to Franck Dja Djédjé on the right, who delivers a perfect mid-height cross to Anthony Mounier. The ex-Lyonnais, the club’s top scorer, expertly opens his foot with a direct right-footed strike. The Aiglons then think they have done the hardest by equalizing just before the break…
No rebound at 10 against 11
Upon returning from the locker room, Nice displays the same timidity in their play and never threatens a Steve Mandanda who had a relatively quiet evening. In the 57th minute, following a poor control by François Clerc, Brandao takes his chance with a pivoting strike. David Ospina, a surprise starter in place of Raul Fernandez (who usually plays cup matches but was injured in the adductors just before the match), touches the ball but is once again beaten. 2-1 for Marseille… and no reaction from Nice. Julien Sablé’s teammates are far too timid to challenge OM. And even at 10 against 11 (following the rather harsh expulsion of Mathieu Valbuena in the 64th minute), there is no spark.
In the final minutes, Franck Dja Djédjé is expelled in turn for an almost non-existent foul on César Azpilicueta (83rd minute). Even Clément Turpin, the match referee, is no longer on top of things. OGC Nice loses its numerical advantage and resigns itself to saying goodbye to the League Cup. The Aiglons must now turn the page and focus 100% on the league and the next Ligue 1 match against Ajaccio next Saturday.
A match once again crucial for their survival. Nice must win their first away game at all costs in order to welcome PSG in the best conditions on February 12th.
