Masséna Forum: the final fall

The people of Nice gathered in large numbers in front of the giant screen hoping to have a great celebration. Flags, scarves, face paint, smoke bombs: a stadium atmosphere with supporters who synchronized with the 25,000 Nice fans present at the Stade de France.

From 6 p.m., young and old, men and women settled on the esplanade of the Massena forum. When the players entered the field, it was packed to the rafters. The viewers were thrilled by the commentary from France Bleu Azur journalists. They tensed up seeing their young eagles being battered by the Lorraine team. Zerka’s goal was felt like a stab in the back. A defeat had not been contemplated before kickoff. It then haunted people’s minds. The first half ended with a score of 1-0 for AS Nancy Lorraine. On the Massena forum, supporters remained confident: “We completely missed the first 45 minutes. It can’t be worse. We have to believe,” estimates Kader.

The attack in the second half proved him right. The Nice players finally showed teeth and Marama Vahirua masterfully converted this domination following a breathtaking move by Baky Koné. Hope was reborn. Smoke bombs, flags, encouragement, cheers: Massena erupted. The giant screen too.

Long, endless minutes of waiting before the images returned. Time to notice the change in score. One each. Anything is possible. Massena breathes, hopes. A slap from Sébastien Puygrenier. Referee Mr. Layec showed him the way to the locker room after giving him a second yellow card. The ten Nancy players then intensified the duels to compensate for their numerical disadvantage. It was this determination that allowed the Brazilian Kim to get ahead of Rod Fanni with his head and then lodge the ball in the top corner past a helpless Hugo Lloris despite a good jump.

Massena is devastated. A second stab on the second dangerous action by the Lorraine team. Nice pushed to equalize. The supporters on Massena did not dare believe in a defeat. They cheered them on. But the score would not change. At the final whistle, the Massena forum emptied like one man. Sadness, bitterness, powerlessness mingled with a feeling of anger. Anger at disappointing young eagles. Anger also at football so cruel. Michel concludes by summing up the feeling shared by many Nice fans: “Nancy is a lousy team… They showed nothing and it’s them who win. I’m disgusted. We can’t wait to get back to the Stade de France.”