This Saturday, OGC Nice faced OL at the Allianz Riviera as part of the 8th day of Ligue 1. A match controlled until the last moments (3-2).
We had left OGC Nice after an eventful Côte d’Azur derby before the break. Quickly reduced to ten, the Eagles managed to grab a point with a draw against their rival and neighbor Monaco (1-1). For their return, the Gym crossed paths with another major Ligue 1 team, Olympique Lyonnais. A defeat was almost prohibited for the Nice team, already trailing in the standings after an extremely difficult start to the season.
Returning from injury, Dante started the match on his 42nd birthday. A prime defensive asset for Franck Haise. Up front, despite the absence of Terem Moffi, Kevin Carlos started on the bench. Mohamed-Ali Cho was preferred in the attacking position of the red and black system.
OGC Nice starts strong
Perfectly served in depth, Sofiane Diop delivered a superb cross to Melvin Bard. With an overlapping run, the Nice full-back capitalized on the opportunity and opened the score (1-0, 5′). The Gym was already in the lead!
Piqued in their pride, the Gones took control of the ball and deprived the Gym of possession. Well organized around a compact block, Hicham Boudaoui’s teammates remained well in place. But the Gym was about to give in on a set piece.
Opportunistic, Pavel Sulc was at the rebound of a corner at the back post. The Rhône forward equalized for both teams (1-1, 30′). In a first half rich in events, OGC Nice thought they had earned a penalty. But the match referee, Mr. Brisard, reversed his decision after ruling Cho offside at the start of the action. A hammer blow for the Eagles? Not even. The Nice team regained the lead shortly afterward. Sofiane Diop, well-positioned, just had to extend Jérémie Boga’s shot into the opponent’s net. Nice took the advantage again (2-1, 36′).
The Eagles on point
This time, the penalty was indeed awarded. Struggling at the start of the second half, OGC Nice conceded a significant opportunity to their opponent. However, in the replay, the ball seemed to clearly touch Charles Vanhoutte’s knee before bouncing onto his hand. OL thought they would equalize, but it was not to be. Heroically, Yehvann Diouf blocked the penalty and maintained his team’s lead. This Gym team finally showed character. A few minutes later, Hicham Boudaoui finished off another classy move from the Red and Blacks (3-1, 56′).
With a superb shot into the bottom corner, the Algerian increased the score. Leading, OGC Nice calmly managed the end of the match. Franck Haise’s coaching supported this approach. The Azure tactician bolstered the midfield to secure the game. In spirit and fight, Nice finally has its reference match of the season. Despite another reduction in score for OL (Pavel Sulc’s brace in the 95th minute), the Gym continues its climb in the standings, gradually catching up with the Ligue 1 leaders (8th temporarily).
Next match is on Thursday, October 23, for OGC Nice. Charles Vanhoutte’s teammates will travel to Vigo for the 3rd day of the Europa League. After disappointing beginnings (two defeats in as many games), the Eagles find themselves obliged to win. Kickoff is at 9 PM.
