The narrow defeat by the smallest score (0-1) will therefore not be remembered, notably thanks to the vigilance of the two Italian goalkeepers, Marchetti and then Bizzarri, who made numerous decisive saves. What is positive is the great enthusiasm of Claude Puel’s men, who delighted the supporters from a full south stand.
The eaglets took some time to get into the game and, as often happens against Italian teams, the first chance was the right one with a run down the wing by Konko, who bested Amawi to deliver a perfect cross to the inevitable striker Miroslav Klose, leaving David Ospina helpless (0-1). The opening goal was neither deserved nor undeserved since a second goal was ultimately disallowed for an offside position.
A wake-up call that quickly took effect for the Nice team who, through set pieces and some beautiful collective movements, got closer to the Italian goals. A small general brawl, more due to the summer heat than to the animosity of the 22 players followed, and the end of the first half was ultimately whistled to the advantage of the Romans.
The second half was also favorable to the Nice team, but the Roman guardian angel was vigilant, and neither Cvitanich nor Kolodziejczak managed to break through the watchfulness of the Italian goalkeeper. Changes were made on both sides, and for Nice, Bosetti, Bruins, Brüls, Pejcinovic replaced Pied, Bauthéac, Eysseric, and Palun. The Nice game continued to be well organized, but the well-known Italian defensive prowess did not falter and contained Nice’s assaults, often stopping them with fouls carefully distanced from the goal protected by Bizzarri. The score ultimately remained unchanged under the hearty applause of the 5,000 spectators who preferred the Ray hill to the seaside.
Overall, it was a solid OGC Nice that played without complexity yesterday against a strong Roman team. Didier Digard and Dario Cvitanich may have been a notch above, and the entry of the young world champion Alexy Bosetti was positive after a somewhat sluggish start.
The next and final preparatory match for Claude Puel’s protégés, before the official start of the season in Lyon, will be this Saturday at 6 PM against Athletic Bilbao, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
