It had to be done and the people of Nice did it, even if the suspense lasted until a few minutes before the end. But, given the result, it only added adrenaline to an exciting evening that ended with the happy ending everyone wanted.
A great victory, two beautiful goals by Germain, decisive once again and… hello Europe, with qualification for the Europa League assured thanks to Lille’s draw at home against Guingamp. A great conclusion to a great season.
There is still a small hope of qualifying for the third preliminary round of the Champions League, if they win at Guingamp and Monaco, who were thrashed yesterday evening in Lyon (6-1), loses when they host Montpellier.
In a stadium finally full (35,000 spectators), with a crowd in harmony with its team, Nice controlled the game against a Saint-Etienne team that was seeking a draw and whose sole aim was to protect their outstanding goalkeeper, Ruffier, already decisive with his miraculous saves last Sunday against Toulouse.
An uneventful first half, with only one opportunity per team: Roux headed a ball that forced Koziello to assist Cardinale on the line (31st minute), and Pléa poorly angled his diagonal shot in front of Ruffier (40th minute), barely missing the right post.
The turning point of the match was the two expulsions of Macuit in the 56th minute (double yellow card) and Tabanou (72nd minute) for a stupid yet violent foul.
With a double numerical disadvantage, the team from Saint-Etienne was increasingly pushed back into their defensive zone and defended fiercely, while Ruffier did his best to keep his net unviolated in front of Seri (69th minute) and then Germain (71st minute).
It was without counting Germain’s sense of goal, as he struck twice in three minutes: at the 86th minute by deflecting a cross from the right by Plea and at the 89th minute with a diagonal left-footed shot following a through pass from Traoré.
The game was wrapped up and Europe was finally opening up to the people of Nice, who can still hope for the cherry of the Champions League on an already appetizing cake.
