OGC Nice managed to get back on track this Saturday by defeating Angers 3-1 at the Allianz Riviera.
The Gym faced Angers in a 4-3-3 formation with a new defense featuring Nsoki on the left, Dante and Sarr in the center, and Atal on the right. In midfield, Cyprien and Lees-Melou were present, accompanied by Arnaud Lusamba who started the match. In attack, Kasper Dolberg played as the central striker flanked by Adam Ounas and Myziane Maolida.
The start of the match favored the Nice team, who pressed their evening opponents high and regained possession in the Angers half. However, as often this season, the Gym struggled to create real chances, and Angers quickly counterattacked.
In the 22nd minute, Angelo Fulgini took advantage of the passiveness of the Nice defenders to weave his way into the penalty area and strike an unstoppable shot past Benitez. Angers took the lead against the run of play.
But this goal seemed to be a wake-up call for Nice, who pressed forward into the Angers’ half. Lees-Melou, once again tireless in this match, found Myziane Maolida on the left side, who delivered a perfect cross for Lusamba. He intercepted the ball near the penalty spot and beat Butelle with a flat-footed shot (39th minute). The Gym got back into the game just before halftime.
In the second half, the Nice players pushed forward and sought to take the lead. It was the culmination of a beautiful one-touch action between Dolberg, Lusamba, Lees-Melou, and Maolida that saw the latter get one-on-one with Butelle and put his team ahead with a precise curled shot.
Towards the end of the match, Dolberg scored a third goal with a powerful shot at the near post on a good through ball from Lusamba (90th minute).
With this victory, the Gym got some much-needed breathing space and distanced themselves from the relegation zone. OGC Nice temporarily sits 11th in Ligue 1 pending the matches this Sunday.
For the next match, the team will travel to Geoffroy-Guichard to face Saint-Etienne this Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00 PM.
