Disappointing in Montpellier, the Eagles bounced back well at the Beaujoire. Thanks to goals from Jallet and Makengo, they return with three additional points.
Facing the Canaries in doubt, there was uncertainty: how would a “bipolar” OGC Nice, capable of the best performances, as against Lyon and Rennes, but equally capable of faltering in a short span, as against Montpellier, behave over the last 15 days. Fortunately for the Niรงois, their protรฉgรฉs opted for the best option. The one that earns points and clears the clouds when the horizon becomes cluttered. At the time of reckoning, one could not emphasize enough the soundness of coach Vieira’s choices, as compared to Montpellier, 3 of the 4 new starters (Jallet, Coly, Makengo, Myziane) were directly involved in the evening’s two goals.
Placed in a 5-3-2 formation at kickoff, the men from the coast took 25 minutes to get into the game. 25 minutes where not much happened, but where the vigilance of the block and Hรฉrilleโs speed helped regain a certain form of serenity. Once this phase was over, the Eagles began to dominate the match head and shoulders.
Driven, it must be said, by an Allan Saint-Maximin in great form. Positioned up front, with open spaces before him, the arrow was at the origin of all dangerous movements.
And these followed one another towards the end of the half, culminating in Christophe Jallet’s opening goal, at the half-hour mark. Perfectly set up by Lees-Melou in depth, ASM overtook Miazga, held him off, before setting up the “divine bald” from behind. He didnโt hesitate to capitalize on a very good period, striking across the goal with one touch, providing his team a valuable lead, with the help of the post (1-0, 31โ).
Buoyed by this nice goal, the Red and Black sought to double the lead just before the break, not finding it but considerably shaking the Nantais. Saint-Maxโ delighted in the center of the area, multiplying short dribbles, before setting up PLM from behind, who didnโt put enough power on his attempt (32โ). Also active in the attack, Myziane strove but was not rewarded for his efforts, encountering Tatarusanu once (37โ) then failing to target a beautiful move initiated by Saint-Maximin and relayed by Makengo (40โ). Finally, Saint-Maximin, once more, stole the ball from Mbodji at midfield, flew away in a mad dash, but lacked the steam to finish (44โ).
MAKENGO SEIZES HIS CHANCE
In short, the Niรงois dominated the proceedings, but returned to the locker room knowing their opponents were obliged to react. Vigilant, they returned with the same intentions. Launched by Makengo, ASM quickly tried but was blocked by a yellow leg.
Then Dante placed a sumptuous header from a corner, but Tatarusanu stretched out (54′), and we began crossing our fingers not to regret all these opportunities.
The fears materialized on the sole Nantes move. On a false action, moreover, where the azure block set up very high, to play the offside, but was caught by a run from Sala coming from afar. The Argentinian went alone to goal, and cruelly shot past Benitez, against the run of play (1-1, 57โ).
Following this equalizer, both teams exchanged blow for blow. Nice continued to push, FCN almost took the lead when the ball slipped under Sala’s foot, alone at 6 meters (62โ).
And eventually, efforts paid off. Fairly quickly, too. Racine Coly delivered a perfect pass to Makengo, who tipped at the near post and crossed his shot with one touch, leaving no chance for the giant Romanian (1-2, 69โ).
Afterwards, the Gym withdrew and conceded two chances: a shot from Rongier poorly handled by Benitez, but eventually cleared (86โ); and another from Limbombe, on which the Argentinian laid down (89โ).
Displaying a superb spirit, the Niรงois preserved their advantage, to resume forward march and put themselves in the best positions before hosting Paris.
PATRICK VIEIRA’S REACTION
“This is the reaction I was expecting. We played with a lot of aggressiveness, a lot of desire. We gave ourselves the chance to succeed in this match and to win it. Jean-Victor Makengo was extraordinary, he played a very good match. To come out on top, we need everyone. I especially note that collectively we had a very good game. Our game plan was very interesting, we went after them high and prevented them from playing. We also created interesting situations. We’ll put these chances away. We need to improve but as I always say, if the spirit is there, behind I know we’ll improve.”
PIERRE LEES-MELOU’S REACTION
“We were not satisfied with our non-performance against Montpellier, and we absolutely wanted to react. We wanted to show it on the pitch and I think we did. After a very good first half, we logically led in score. They came back against the flow of the game but we managed to react, unlike Montpellier. It’s good, it’s promising for the future, especially since we have a big match expecting us on Saturday.”