Patrick Vieira decides not to rotate his starting team despite the successive matches. Thus, Benitez remains in goal. The central defense consists of Dante and Danilo. On the left side, Christophe Hérelle compensates for Atal’s absence. On the right, Stanley N’Soki regains his starting position. In midfield, Cyprien and Claude-Maurice are accompanied by Hicham Boudaoui. Finally, in attack, Kasper Dolberg is supported by Adam Ounas and Ignatius Ganago.
The first quarter of an hour is very uneventful. Neither team takes risks in order to avoid being exposed to a potentially fatal counterattack.
The Lyon midfielders physically surpass the Nice players and recover numerous balls in the central circle. However, clear chances are very scarce for both sides.
Ultimately, it is OL who create the first real opportunity in the 15th minute. On a cross from Cornet, Moussa Dembélé manages to control the ball in the Nice area and executes a half-volley that finishes its run in Benitez’s right-hand corner. Lyon thus opens the scoring on its first chance.
It’s a very complicated first half for the Gym, who struggle to advance into the Lyon half. As a result, OL are perfectly organized in defense and concede very few chances. The only true Nice opportunity in this first period comes from Cyprien, but his curved shot is deflected by Andersen.
Moreover, OGC Nice loses their playmaker at the end of the first half. Indeed, Cyprien feels pain behind his thigh and is replaced by Thuram.
The second half follows the same rhythm as the first. The Nice team, through Lees-Melou who comes into the game, tries to invigorate the match.
And the Allianz Riviera erupts in the 89th minute when, on a long ball from Dante behind the defense, Ounas manages to control with a “pigeon wing” move. He takes the ball toward the goal and sends a powerful shot that Tatarusanu is unable to stop. The Nice team equalizes and reignites the suspense.
But the suspense will be short-lived as, following the restart, Dante commits a blatant foul in the area near the corner line on Toko-Ekambi. The referee lets the action continue but, after consulting with his assistants, points to the penalty spot. Houssem Aouar deceives Benitez with a side-foot into the top corner, plunging the Nice team into disillusionment.
Ultimately, the red and black team will no longer muster the strength to be dangerous again, allowing the Lyon players to qualify for the quarterfinals of the French Cup. OL will host Marseille for a place in the semis.
