A week after drawing at home against Valenciennes (0-0), the Gym faced a tough opponent for its first away game of the season. Having been particularly humiliated last season at the Moustoir stadium (1-4), OGC Nice had endured a nightmarish 2009-2010 sports season under the Ollé-Nicole era before the Roy-Gioria-Marsiglia trio took charge, securing the club’s 8th consecutive survival since promotion.
With the same saviors, now in the role of builders, the Nice coaches went to Lorient, not without fear. Between an unusual synthetic pitch for Ligue 1 and the Aiglons, a major factor justifying the apprehension, and the strike force of the technically skilled Lorient side under Christian Gourcuff, who always seeks beautiful play and forward construction, Nice was already playing an unusual match. Right in the thick of it.
Under the anxious gaze of about ten Nice supporters who made the trip, the Red and Black team eventually reassured their fans from the start of the match with ball possession shared between the two teams and a well-organized Nice defense.
Thus, Hellebuyck, from a free-kick, fired the first shots on goal (6th minute) before Loïc Rémy, served by Civelli, attempted a strike which was deflected by Diarra.
With rhythm and commitment, tough but fair contacts, the match was not lacking in bite. And on a smoothly constructed attack by the Merlus, a poorly cleared ball by Ospina offered Jouffre the opportunity to arm and shoot. A ball that blitzes and blasts past the Red and Black keeper, crucified on his line (11th).
At that precise moment, every supporter had in mind the emergence of another tough season and saw the demons of a recent past resurface. A mental doubt quickly dispelled after a corner taken by Mounier thirty seconds later, finding Ismaël Gace’s fierce header at the near post! Already a scorer last year against Le Mans at the Ray stadium (1-0), the young defender, a club-trained player, set the record straight. A goal full of opportunism that mainly allowed the Azurean formation not to doubt afterward.
A Lorient team that would attempt to push forward and create chances despite an extremely balanced game. A shot from Sosa (27th) then a raid from Gameiro who, positioned wide after a hasty exit from Ospina, gets the better of the Colombian but sees his shot miss the target (28th).
A fright never comes alone, on a seemingly harmless set-piece; Mouloungui, trying to clear the ball during an aerial duel in the box, finds the Nice crossbar with his head… (34th).
But despite the chances, the game wasn’t Breton, as the Nice team dominated the midfield or acted on quick counters. On one of those, Hellebuyck served Loïc Rémy in front of the goal. A couple of sidesteps on Morel, the international striker finds himself alone against Cappone, who finally intervenes (35th).
The last breach before the break, Romao in a tight area, in the axis, outmaneuvers the Nice defense for a toe-poke shot, prompting Ospina to make an exceptional reflex save with agility. The half-time ends thus with a logical score for two playing teams.
Loïc Rémy offers victory to Nice
At the return from the 15-minute break, both teams attacked this second half with the same desire to win. The Lorient team, for a good 20 minutes, began to establish territorial dominance, but the Nice midfield and especially the defense prevailed each time. Thus, one could appreciate the work of Renato Civelli, the warrior, available as needed, but above all, realize the immense talent of the only Nice recruit of the transfer window. The Serbian Pejcinovic delivered an almost perfect performance, with his sense of positioning aligning with interventions worthy of the greatest defenders, for a player who is only 23 years old. Adding elements like Gace and Diakité in good form, the Nice rearguard was strengthened.
That’s how Lorient was pushing in a futile way on trivial shots from Mvuemba (49th) and Gameiro (52nd and 60th).
Far from being a sign of weakness, the Gym let their evening opponent come to them to better counter-attack. An exercise repeatedly practiced at Moustoir but where good finishing was narrowly missing.
Following shots from Rémy (51st) and Hellebuyck (63rd), the salvation would come from a corner taken by Anthony Mounier in the 68th minute. A ball that seemed long to the far post but was caught just in time with a header by Pejcinovic, redirecting it centrally. The ball then landed at Mouloungui’s feet, who blindly passed to Rémy, who scored with a header in front of the goalkeeper. A goal full of opportunism for the Nice striker, who might be playing his last match in the French championship, as he is more than ever on his way to Tottenham.
2-1 for Nice!!
A goal that rewards the efforts of an effective and diligent Nice team. At this stage of the game, one would expect a Lorient reaction, but it was instead OGC Nice who played better football. The Bretons, defeated and outplayed, saw the Aiglons spread and circulate the ball. The entry of Ben Saada further contributed to the game’s control thanks to his technical flair.
Despite a last shot from Mvuemba in the 87th minute going over the bar, Lorient would not come back. Nice won quite logically in an encounter finally well managed both tactically and physically. An appealing display from Nice that surprised both the observers and their evening opponents judging by comments during the match. This bodes well for the future provided they stay grounded and strive to remain on the right track.
