After last week’s 1-1 draw, OGC Nice must win in Amsterdam or hold the Dutch team to a high-scoring draw. The first-leg goal scorer, Mario Balotelli, is out due to a thigh injury.
They are 90 or even 120 minutes away from a major feat. The players from Nice are challenging the great Ajax Amsterdam with its six European titles, a Europa League finalist last season (a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United). If they win, Nice will be guaranteed a spot in a European competition (Champions League in case of a playoff win, Europa League if they lose). However, with 54,000 supporters in the Amsterdam Arena, including 2,000 from Nice, the task appears to be very difficult.
“Everything is still possible”
“This is an important match. There will be others, but this one is decisive,” stated Lucien Favre in a press conference. “After a 1-1 draw, of course everything is still possible. We played a very good first leg, especially in the first half, where we conceded nothing and created several chances.”
Ajax has weaknesses
In the first leg, each team had its half and its prime periods. But while Nice opened the score thanks to “Super Mario” Balotelli, ideally assisted by Micka Séri, Ajax equalized following a mistake by Yoann Cardinale. The Dutch could have won, but Sanchez’s header hit the red and black crossbar. Nice came close to a 2-1 win, with Marcel then Plea missing match-winning opportunities in the last ten minutes.
With around ten clear chances, Lucien Favre’s men proved that Ajax had weaknesses, mainly defensively. On the right side, Souquet found himself alone on several occasions. On the other side, Srarfi showed quality, lacking precision in the final move. Bothered by the speed of the Nice players, Ajax committed numerous fouls and received five yellow cards. This is an element to consider.
Be ready for the battle
Unbeaten at home last season in European competitions, the Dutch will once again rely on a high-quality attack. Dolberg and Younes will undoubtedly be part of the lineup, while Kluivert’s son might be replaced by Neres. During each incursion into the red and black camp, they managed to create openings and opportunities. If Nice is slow to enter the match, as they were last week, they will undoubtedly be punished. The midfield challenge will be to control the ball. Séri, Koziello, and Eysseric had more than succeeded from the 20th to the 45th minute…
At kick-off, Nice are eliminated, and statistics give them a one-in-three chance to qualify. But the team from the French Riviera proved last season, in big matches (against PSG, Lyon), that they could achieve the impossible. This challenge resembles a hors catégorie climb in the Tour de France; reaching the summit as winners is not impossible, they just need to avoid falling into the ravine before the finish line.
Photo credit: Official OGC Nice website
