OGC Nice secures a 2-2 draw against Evian. The Eagles achieve a minor operation in the quest to stay up, although they were holding onto the victory ten minutes before the end. Second operation for survival next Sunday in Reims.
It just goes to show, reaching the “famous 42 points” will be tough until the very end. After their impressive win in Lyon (2-1), Nice did not confirm it in a very important match for survival. As often happens, against direct rivals, the Eagles struggled in the fight and lost points. A team with two very distinct faces.
The match couldn’t have started worse for the people from Nice. As early as the 8th minute, Grégoire Puel and Romain Genevois were guilty of a misunderstanding and lost the ball, forcing Simon Pouplin into a risky move. A logical penalty was called by Mr. Lannoy for a tackle on Nsikulu. The Nice goalkeeper redeemed himself in the best possible way with a save on Wass’ overly smothered shot (9th minute). Once again decisive, the former number 2 who became a starter. But less than ten minutes later, Evian opened the score through Nounkeu. The Cameroonian defender took advantage of a perfectly placed free-kick from Wass to head the ball into the back of the net (18th minute, 0-1). The stadium roared!
In the 24th minute, Nice finally had a chance, as Alexy Bosetti navigated past the Savoyard defense but shot over the bar. Claude Puel’s men weren’t making it happen, dominated in all sectors, often passive. In injury time, the Eagles accelerated on a counterattack led by Said Benrahma, a regular from the CFA celebrating his first starting position in Ligue 1. The young winger approached the opposing box and perfectly set up Alexy Bosetti, who lofted the ball over Leroy. An equalizer validated by the officiating crew even though the Nice striker was clearly offside (45th minute, 1-1).
A completely different Nice team returned to the field after the break. Niklas Hult then Eric Bauthéac were very close to giving Nice the lead (52nd and 56th minutes). The defense held strong, the midfield finally controlled the game, and OGC Nice advanced. It paid off a little after the hour mark. The second counterattack and second goal for the red and black. The work of Bauthéac-Eysseric was superb, Bosetti received the ball but was blocked by Leroy. The Azureen returned the ball acrobatically for Valentin Eysseric, who had followed through and knocked the ball into the Evian goal with a side-footed shot (68th minute, 2-1).
“We were behind in the score, we did the hardest part by coming back in front, then we conceded this avoidable goal… It’s frustrating, even if the feelings are mixed,” explained Kevin Gomis in the mixed zone.
The people from Nice thought they were safe, but a stroke of bad luck dampened Nampalys Mendy and his teammates’ spirits. An harmless shot from Thomasson was deflected off the chest by Kévin Gomis and deceived Simon Pouplin (78th minute, 2-2). The “Rivère Resignation!” chants came down once again from the Allianz Riviera stands where the Populaire Sud had deserted its place since the beginning of the second half. Approaching injury time, Bauthéac’s free-kick deflected by Leroy crashed against the crossbar. When it’s not meant to be…
“I appreciated the reaction in the second half. But we’ll have to go earn points. It’s not enough to just watch other teams’ results. There are seven games left until the end of the season, and we’ll have to battle in every match, and nothing will come easy,” reported Claude Puel in the press conference.
So, is it one point gained or two points lost? That’s the big question that remains unanswered. Verdict at the end of the 38th day, or before if Nice ensures their survival. The upcoming matches will be just as complicated, with a trip to Reims (Sunday, April 12) and hosting Paris-Saint-Germain. A season finale full of suspense.
Photo credit: OGC Nice
