Still as technically impressive as ever, Hatem Ben Arfa greatly contributed to his team’s success by opening the scoring. His first goal in open play with the Eaglets, which coincidentally accompanies the team’s first victory this season for the Gym in Ligue 1.
The pre-match atmosphere in Nice was already gloomy. Maxime Le Marchand, a good pick in central defense at the start of the championship, left his teammates during warm-ups due to an injury. A new physical setback further troubles a Nice team struggling for defensive confidence and soon short of solutions in this sector of play.
In the starting eleven, Jérémy Pied numerically replaces the former Havre player, an offensive choice that is somewhat deceptive. Because the first half is not rich in opportunities, far from it. The attackers of both teams are very difficult to find. The first chance only comes in the 29th minute of play, signed by Andy Delort. Well served deep on the left by Vincent Bessat, the former Tours player outwits Paul Baysse by coming back on his right foot and attempts to adjust Mouez Hassen, but the Nice goalkeeper is up to the task. The Gym, on the other hand, still hasn’t managed a shot on target, and it takes another 10 minutes before finally seeing an attempt from the Azureans. The chance is huge. After a recovery from Koziello at 30 meters, Seri shifts to Germain on his right. The attempt by the Nice forward is deflected by Vercoutre, and Pléa lunges to try and put the ball in the net but his diving header narrowly misses the target.
3 minutes later, Mouez Hassen shines against Vincent Bessat. Very hesitant in the duel, the Nice defense is trapped by the physical presence of Andy Delort, who prevents Baysse and Boscagli from clearing a high-bouncing ball at the edge of the box. At full speed, Bessat comes in to push the ball and attempts to open the scoring by crossing his shot from on the road of the goal, but Hassen responds quickly and effectively, parrying with his arm. Despite a slight flurry towards the end, it’s a very calm first half that concludes. Ultimately, only Ben Arfa’s flashes remain memorable from this first act. Like at the 24th minute, when he takes out three Caen players with remarkable right-left foot control among the three Normans.
And then suddenly, goals!
The second half is quickly more exciting than the first. Right in the 47th minute and after a nice combination on the left side, the ball reaches Pléa, who crosses his shot on first attempt but is thwarted by a good Vercoutre. An displayed offensive determination not sufficient enough to truly launch the match. It still takes 20 more minutes to see the nets shiver, but with Ben Arfa, patience eventually pays off. “Good things come to those who wait,” says (almost) the proverb, “The Caen defense opens its doors to those who wait,” and Ben Arfa silently adds, “And fakes.” At the 66th, he takes the entire Malherbe defense by surprise. Starting from thirty meters, he maneuvers leftward in a slalom before entering the box and slamming a missile under Vercoutre’s bar from a very tight angle.
“I managed to find a small path to score that goal,” he explained post-match. A small path that surely leads into the hearts of the last skeptical OGC Nice supporters too. But this magnificent goal doesn’t keep Nice ahead for long. Only 2 minutes after the performance from the Nice number 9, the Caen number 9, Delort, adds his personal achievement. Launched on the left side, he wins his duel against Baysse, then accelerates impressively to find himself in the box and curls it right-footed without faltering. The ball lands in the side netting of Hassen, impeccable on this play (and throughout the match). A real striker’s goal. The following minutes are calm and make it seem as though both teams remember they mostly want to avoid losing. But inspiration returns to the Gym at the 77th minute. Beautifully served by Mendy, Pléa makes a good chest control and follows with a magnificent cross volley with his right foot. Vermouler isn’t expecting it and is completely surprised by his former Lyon teammate. The young forward leaves the pitch a few minutes later, receiving the ovation he deserves from a crowd that finally sees him score for the first time at home in Ligue 1.
At the very end of the match, OGC Nice faces a final scare. Vermouler takes a free kick from his own half, Delort flicks it on, and Da Silva finds the ball coming to him in the box. He takes his chance, Hassen is beaten, the story of Troyes seems to repeat for the Gym… Except the ball goes just wide of the Nice post. Finally, Claude Puel’s men hold onto their first victory of the season and can thank their key players Hatem Ben Arfa and Alassane Pléa.
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
