Long threatened by unpredictable weather, this OM-Nice match finally took place as if nothing had happened. Defeating an unfortunate Azurean team (2-0), the Phocaeans suffered for a long time before finding the breakthrough.
For a long time, the threat of postponement loomed over this Paca region derby between OM and OGC Nice at the Vélodrome.
The blame lies with the torrential rains that have been falling since Friday in the south of France. But it would take more to discourage the officials of the match!
Determined, the Aiglons showed their ambitions as early as the second minute, exemplified by a 40-meter run from Anthony Mounier. Under pressure, the Marseille team responded in the 6th minute. On a cross from Morel, Valbuena couldn’t quite adjust his header.
Crossbar challenge for OM
But after ten good initial minutes, the Phocaeans gradually yielded ground to the Nice team. However, the Aiglons were unlucky. Abriel hit the crossbar following a pull-back from Mouloungui.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Nice was still in attack. The former Strasbourg player tried to demolish the defense. But his shot, from a Mounier cross, also hit the woodwork.
At halftime, Didier Deschamps could breathe a sigh of relief: the score was still nil. But his team continued to struggle at the start of the second half. So, the Marseille coach made two quick substitutions.
The Ayew brothers forge the victory
Just over ten minutes after coming on for Gignac, Jordan Ayew scored the opening goal from a Loïc Rémy cross (72nd minute). In the process, the former Nice player managed to move Pejcinovic, who was somewhat passive.
While Nice appeared sluggish, substitute Dja Dje-Dje launched an attack and broke through the Marseille defense. But he was stopped by Mandanda, who remained vigilant. Annoyed, the teammates of François Clerc became frustrated.
In added time, André Ayew was brought down in the area by Coulibaly. Loïc Rémy had to take two attempts to convert the penalty, due to the elder of the Ghanaian brothers entering the box too quickly.
An event that didn’t prevent Rémy from doubling the score with a Panenka. OM won without convincing. Nice dominated, but misfortune stopped them from advancing.
