To try to get past the round of 32, Patrick Vieira decided to field his first-choice team. Thus, Benitez is in goal. In defense, due to absences, the main Brazilian central pair from the game against Angers is retained with Dante and Danilo. On the flanks, we have N’Soki on the left and Hérelle on the right. In midfield, Lees-Melou is suspended for this match. Consequently, Claude-Maurice drops back to support Cyprien and Boudaoui. Finally, in attack, Ounas, Ganago, and Dolberg are lined up.
The first half is clearly dominated by the Nice team, who have the majority of ball possession. Through one-touch combinations, the players often find themselves open on the wings. Unfortunately, the crosses from Ounas and Ganago are often inaccurate and fail to find Dolberg in the center.
In the 22nd minute, Cyprien hits the crossbar of David Oberhauser, the Red Star keeper, with a floating free kick from 30 meters out.
The Nice team takes advantage of their strong period during this first half to take the lead thanks to Danilo. The Brazilian, from a corner taken by Ounas, capitalizes on a scramble in the box to collect the ball and beat the Red Star keeper (27th minute).
And just 2 minutes after this first goal, the Nice team already increases the gap. After a one-two on the right side between Ounas and Claude-Maurice, the latter crosses sharply at ground level for Ganago, who appears at the far post. The Nice striker hits the ball first time and scores his team’s second goal (29th minute).
Walter Benitez will make only one save in this first half, but what a save! From a Red Star corner, another scramble occurs, this time in the Nice box. The ball falls to Mendy, Red Star’s central defender, who hits the ball on the half-volley from two meters out. The Argentine keeper makes a miraculous save (45th minute).
In the second half, the Gym comfortably maintains their advantage and is hardly troubled.
At the very end of the match, Red Star is awarded a penalty for a handball by Danilo in the box. Yanis Hamache, on loan from Nice, steps up and sends Benitez the wrong way. However, this score reduction comes too late, and Nice wins 2-1 in this round of 32 match of the Coupe de France.
The draw for the round of 16 will take place tomorrow evening after the match between Lorient and Paris SG.
The next round matches will be played on Tuesday, January 28, and Wednesday, January 29.
