OGC Nice – AS Nancy (3-1): Nice on the podium!

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The Aiglons secured their spot on the podium after once again conceding the opening goal (3-1). The highlight of a successful season.


Entering the match with control but no flair, Nice was stung by a “fluke” goal from Nancy, just before the half-hour mark. From a corner conceded by Cardinale—alert to the drifting trajectory of a Puyo free-kick—Eysseric lost the ball in his area, Cetout crossed, and Dale threw himself at the far post (0-1, 26th minute).

It seemed that this opening goal woke the Nice team. Like magic, the flair returned once the opponent was in the lead. And as if by enchantment, the locals once again turned the tables. Ten minutes later, Koziello served Belhanda at the entrance of the opponent’s area. Playing as number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Moroccan international fought to deliver a fierce tackle to serve Le Bihan. Holding his ground in the duel, the latter, starting for the first time in Ligue 1 in 19 months (since September 23, 2015, against Bordeaux), did not waver and equalized by opening his right foot (1-1, 35th minute).

Returning from the locker room, the Gym attacked at full speed. Launched down the left side, Valentin Eysseric followed with a step-over, an acceleration, and a left-footed shot, caught by Ndy Assembé (46th minute). Mika Seri curled a free-kick past the opponent’s goal immediately after (49th minute). The pressure increased steadily.

The Lorraine defense eventually cracked. More comfortable in offensive phases than defensively, Issiar Dia fouled Dalbert in the penalty area, Mika Seri took responsibility and calmly struck down the center of the goal (51st minute).

The hardest part was done. Facing a visitor who rarely managed to attack in numbers, the Azuréens controlled the game. Not without a scare when Ait Benasser, served by Dale, missed the target from the penalty point (66th minute).

Lucien Favre’s men, however, could not extend the lead immediately. On a quick counterattack where they found themselves 3 against 1, Ricardo served Le Bihan, whose inside shot was repelled by Ndy Assembé. Le Bihan, unstoppable, well-served by an omnipresent Koziello in recovering the ball and inspired in using it, missed the target 20 minutes from the end.

The much-awaited gap came a little later. When Eysseric offered another wonder to Mika Seri, who officially validated the season for the team with a beautiful left-footed shot (3-1, 85th minute).

A team that can now look upwards with ease. To, perhaps, write a magnificent epilogue to an equally magnificent journey…

The stat: 5

Previously specialists at starting matches, the Gym now struggles to get going. Like a diesel engine, the Gym is no longer as speedy as before. By conceding the opening goal against Nancy, the Aiglons extended their streak to five consecutive matches. And each time, Nice has come through. With character.

Lucien Favre’s reaction

“73 points, that’s something! Let’s keep going like this, we still have five matches left. Sometimes we were close today, we played against a very good team that we struggled to maneuver, especially at the start of the match. I am happy, but I would like us to improve certain things (laughs). There are mistakes that cost us or poor positioning. Now on to Toulouse, which is a big challenge, and then Paris.”

Maxime Le Marchand’s reaction

“It’s been a great season, historic even given the number of points obtained. But we still want to feel the thrill at this end of the season. We have collected many points, but why not continue to the very end? Something has truly been built this season, with the coach and the new players. We take a lot of pleasure on the field. Even when we are trailing, we manage to control the game and come back to the score. Now, we want to go even higher. As since the beginning of the season, we will continue to take the matches one by one, to stay on alert in case of a misstep by Paris or Monaco.”

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