You shouldn’t have been late last night at the Stadium, as after just 29 seconds of play Bauthéac struck the first blow, leaving the audience stunned (0-1). It couldn’t have started worse for Alain Casanova’s men. And the Toulouse coach was not yet done with his troubles.
But the pleasure was short-lived for the “Aiglons” as Ben Yedder, with the help of the left post, allowed his team to equalize (1-1). The first yellow cards rained down on the match against M’Bengué and Rabiot. Toulouse dominated and Didot’s attempt came close to Ospina’s goals. And what was bound to happen did in the 19th minute with Capoue deceiving Ospina to give his team the advantage (2-1).
Cvitanich showed he was returning to his best by forcing Ahamada to deflect his shot into a corner which yielded nothing, and then it was Ospina’s turn to thwart Ben Yedder’s dribbling attempt. The match was lively with both teams posing threats in turn, but after half an hour, it was the Toulousians who were dominating courtesy of an active Didot. As the end of the first half approached, the “Niçois” won a good free-kick. It was Bauthéac who acted as fireman, placing a splendid strike that went around the wall to beat Ahamada, who was the last line of defense (2-2). Clément Turpin could send both teams to the locker rooms tied after an enjoyable first half.
No changes on either side and the same 22 players resumed their debates. In this little game, the hosts of the evening looked more lively, always driven by the dynamic Didot and the equally strong Capoue, whose header failed to find Ospina’s frame. The red and black defensive block suffered but withstood numerous Toulouse onslaughts both in open play and from set pieces. As the hour mark approached, Ospina again came to the rescue against Tabanou who almost gave his team the lead. Cards appeared once again for the Toulousians with Zebina and Regattin cautioned. Yet, it was the “Aiglons” who would once more make the Stadium nets tremble with Traoré blocked near the area and the ball landing to Cvitanich, who rekindled his scorer’s joy despite a good comeback from Ninkov (2-3). Another batch of cautions followed for Tabanou for Toulouse and Kolodziejczak for Nice.
Claude Puel then decided to make his changes with Anin replacing Meriem and Cvitanich making way for the young Bosetti. The “Niçois” played higher, and on a well-struck corner by Abriel, Civelli was just centimeters from beating Ahamada who stopped the Argentine’s header at the second attempt. Less fortunate, however, for the Toulouse goalkeeper just seconds later, as he received a logical dismissal when the last defender made a challenge on Traoré. The Toulousians were reduced to ten men for the last ten minutes of play. Last changes for both camps with Blondel replacing Didot for Toulouse and Traoré replaced by Bruins for the “Niçois”, and the game could continue around the Azurian area. A risky clearance ensued and Ben Yedder seized the opportunity by striking a cross-shot that nestled into the small net of Ospina’s goal, who was helpless against this stroke of fate (3-3).
The achievement was so close, yet the disappointment was great on the side of the “Aiglons” who became agitated, exemplified by the young Alexy Bosetti, logically expelled by Mr. Turpin for a forceful and dangerous tackle on M’Bengue. A few seconds of stoppage time remained to play, and OGC Nice could at least bring back a small point to the capital of the French Riviera. But, it was decreed the evening would be marvelous, and it was ultimately Kévin Anin who marked his entry into the game by blasting past Blondel, giving his teammates a new and final advantage (3-4). The referee blew the final whistle, and it would be three precious points that Claude Puel’s men carried in their bags before hosting Sochaux next Sunday at 2 PM at the Stade du Ray.
Fourth, two points behind the 3rd place Lyon, who plays tonight in Reims, and with a point ahead of Saint-Etienne hosting Evian and two points over Lille who receive Lorient, OGC Nice can hope, with this new victory, to experience an exciting end to the season with an eye on Europe, which hasn’t felt this close for years…
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