OGC Nice executed the perfect move against an Olympique Lyonnais side competing for the championship title with PSG and Marseille. Perhaps the benchmark match the Eaglets needed to ensure a more serene end to the season.
Undoubtedly, the return of Didier Digard and Simon Pouplin was decisive in a match that needed to start well for the Niรงois, with a splendid opening goal by Carlos Eduardo who struck first with an acrobatic kick that left Lopes no chance. Everything was going well for the red and black, who, despite being dominated, found a way to succeed.
Simon Pouplin guarded the Azurean goal and showed resoluteness against Fekir (14th minute) and Dabo (21st minute), while the defense held strong against Lyon’s attacks. Half-time was called with the slim advantage for the Niรงois, who returned to the locker room with the sense of a job well done.
The return to the field turned to the advantage of the hosts, who intensified their pressure on Nice’s defense, which did not falter as the hour mark approached. Fekir, again and again, infiltrates the penalty area and encounters Palun on his path. Second yellow, exclusion, and a penalty for OL. Despite a good intuition from Pouplin, Gonalons brought both teams level. Down to ten men against eleven and in a charged Gerland, it seemed the task would be complicated for Claude Puel’s protรฉgรฉs.
The last half-hour promised to be long for a team not exactly thriving in recent encounters, but it was said that the strength and perseverance were with Nice. Didier Digard, the lynchpin of Nice’s defense, handed over his place just after the hour mark to Gomis. Fekir again, but this time it was Bodmer who stood in his way, then Ferri, but Pouplin remained vigilant. The Lyonnais tried everything, but the solid red and black block would have none of it and brilliantly thwarted all while delivering good counterplay.
With just five minutes of play remaining, a draw could have been a nice reward to bring back to Nice. Alassane Plea moved into the Lyon penalty area, and Bakary Konรฉ had no other choice but to irregularly halt his progress. Penalty awarded by Mr. Gautier, and a perfect conversion by Valentin Eysseric restored Nice’s lead in the 86th minute of play. Cornet and Jallet gave it their all in the final moments, but it was to no avail; Nice triumphed at the leader’s home, and the nice reward transformed into a genuine feat that bodes well for a calmer run-up to the visit from Evian.
Issa Nissa!
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