Nice pulled off a feat by winning (3-1) at the Parc des Princes against a dominant PSG, thanks to a heroic defense and an imperial Marcin Bulka. Franck Haise’s coaching was decisive, with a third goal by Santamaria sealing a historic victory.
It was a hungry PSG eager to show that it is ready for the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal next week, that hosted OGC Nice at the Parc des Princes tonight. A destructive and conquering Paris to say the least, which could have ended the first half with a score of at least 4 or 5 goals if Nice hadn’t had defenders with steel minds in their squad, incisive forwards, but most notably a world-class goalkeeper in Marcin Bulka. Indeed, the Polish international managed to stop 99% of Parisian attacks, to the extent that one wondered how they would destroy this web spun by the incredible Bulka and his defense.
Bet won against a stunned Paris!
Gathered like brave warriors pushed back to their last stronghold, the Nice defenders seemed to be playing the game of their lives, refusing to lower their arms and wave the white flag. Better still, this growing solidarity eventually led them to respond and surprise the Parisian giant with progressive counterattacks in the opponent’s half, gaining ground meter by meter. Team efforts rewarded with a beautiful goal from Morgan Sanson, masterfully served with the outside of the left foot by young Algerian international Badredine Bouanani (0-1). OGC Nice could be proud of doing more than resisting the Parisian giant that Europe’s greatest teams couldn’t unsettle. The equalizer by Fabian Ruiz (41′), quite logical, did not at all dampen the eagerness of the Nice players, who lit up the second half with a magnificent collective action punctuated by a second goal by Morgan Sanson (46′) that will be remembered for a long time. A splendid acrobatic right-footed half-volley after a perfect cross from Jonathan Clauss on the right side (1-2) to further sow doubt in Paris and win the bet for the race to the Ligue 1 podium.
When Franck Haise thwarted Luis Henrique’s plan A
As the minutes passed, one could feel the Eagles gaining a little more defensive solidity, but also offensive confidence. Everything seemed possible then in the minds of Franck Haise’s players, who were now rubbing shoulders with the Parisian stars. The defensive discipline of the Eagles eventually destabilized not just the PSG players but also their coach! Indeed, Luis Henrique found himself forced to make four major changes. Two initially during the game, sacrificing Douรฉ and Joao Neves (replaced by Bradley Barcola and Zaรฏre-Emry), then ten minutes later, Ousmane Dembรฉlรฉ and Marquinhos (for Gonรงalo Ramos and Lucas Beraldo), undoubtedly in anticipation of the match against Arsenal, but above all because his Nice counterpart thwarted his plan A, which was to use this match as a kind of dress rehearsal and gain confidence before next Tuesday.
A third goal for the history books
Paris could not afford to parade along the Promenade des Anglais, especially not against such an unpredictable and tenacious Nice team. With each passing minute, it felt like the resistance would lead to ultimate victory. Then, football eventually rewarded the efforts of the bravest, as is customary. In the 68th minute, Franck Haise decided to replace Morgan Sanson (who had scored a double) with Baptiste Santamaria. And the incredible was set to happen once more in this magical and historic night for the Nice team in Paris!
A winning strategy from Franck Haise
It took no more than three minutes on the field to prove Franck Haise right, the author of this winning strategy. From a free kick on the left side intelligently taken by Bouanani, Santamaria placed a winning header that Donnarumma could only watch, to the delight of the Eagles who realized that nothing was impossible that night in Paris. At 1-3, with a brilliantly closed defense and an outstanding goalkeeper performing feats worthy of another planet, nothing could take away the three points from the hardworking Hicham Boudaoui and his teammates. The joy was visible on the faces of the Nice players even before the referee blew the final whistle of this battle that historians can justly call Bulkanic!
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Nacym Djender
Reactions:
Franck Haise: “The players were exemplary”
A smiling Franck Haise showed great satisfaction at the Dazn microphone: “The victory was difficult, admittedly, but that’s what makes it even more beautiful. We had prepared our tactics with this 5-3-2. Then we had also prepared this diamond formation in the middle to try to catch our breath from time to time. It was hard but some sequences allowed us to loosen the grip and that’s what allowed us to score several times.
We know that against Paris you won’t have much of the ball. I had chosen profiles for set attacks and, of course, we had targeted set pieces. Tonight, what the players did in terms of effort and combativeness, they were exemplary. And with a goalkeeper in a state of grace, it’s even better. You need a bit of luck, of course! We had it.”
Luis Enrique: “Nice played an exceptional match”
Luis Enrique, relaxed, also spoke at the Dazn microphone: “It’s not a defeat that hurts at all. First, I’d like to say that we played a serious match. We attacked in many ways but they defended incredibly. We shot more than thirty times. We wish to have the same kind of match against Arsenal and have as many chances against them on Tuesday night. It’s clear that this Nice team delivered an exceptional performance, but we should have done the work to win this match.”
