The return of the lucky eagle brought good fortune to the Aiglons who, if not shining, at least secured the essentials to defeat a Reims team that has been running out of steam for some time, with zero victories on the board since March 1st.
A victory that is good for the standings (Maintaining Ligue 1 status is practically assured) and for morale, allowing the Nice team to manage the end of the season more serenely.
The Nicois largely dominated the match, however, their well-known lack of effectiveness (They remain the worst attack in Ligue 1) meant they were constantly under the pressure of counterattacks from Champagne.
A dull first half produced only two attempts by Cvitanich (24th and 35th minute) but without posing significant problems for the opposing goalkeeper, Agassa.
On their side, the red-and-whites nearly opened the scoring following a beautiful move with a driven shot by Ayité in the 30th minute, but it was thwarted by Ospina’s perfect dive, turning the attempt into a corner.
The result finally unlocked right after the break. In the 50th minute, on a corner from Bauthéac, the Reims defense tried to clear it at the near post, but the ball returned to Eysseric on the edge of the area. His shot had a surprising trajectory, the ball bounced between a teammate’s legs, hit Agassa’s left post before going in, the goalkeeper was powerless, masked by the forest of players in front of him.
A goal both spectacular and lucky that Nice supporters were eagerly awaiting and…without being picky.
The rest of the match was under the total control of the Nicois, who maintained the advantage without difficulty against a timid Champagne team deprived of their captain Anthony Weber (Exited in the first half with a probable Achilles tendon rupture) and ultimately offered a victory to their supporters.
Claude Puel, measured as usual, congratulated himself on this result: “We scored a bizarre or fortunate goal, but this luck has eluded us on other occasions, and then, we went out and sought it.”
