With a 3-2 victory against Napoli, OGC Nice put a nice finishing touch on a successful summer preparation. An important win less than a week before hosting neighboring Monaco for the first day of Ligue 1.
Claude Puel’s 4-4-2 diamond formation still has the scent of newness. Yet, the Nice team seems to have already become well accustomed to it. If there is one interesting lesson that the coach of the red and black can take, it is indeed this tactical aspect. Offensively, the presence of Hatem Ben Arfa supporting the two central forwards often allowed the Aiglons an easy transition between the two wings. A bit discreet but technically precise, the new number 9 from Nice was at the origin of two of the three goals for his team.
The opening score came quickly, after 8 minutes of play, with Pléa finding a way through to beat a rather average Rafael. At the start of the action, Hatem Ben Arfa skillfully directed the play to the left side after a series of dribbles and then found the ball again to deliver a decisive pass. Nice is ahead. But not for long. The opening goal triggered a wake-up call for the Neapolitans, and it only took the Italians 6 minutes to get back into the game. After a ball loss by Séri on the left side, Mertens crossed strongly in front of the goal and found Callejon at the far post. The Spanish forward had only to put his foot in opposition. 1-1.
Very inspired tonight, Mertens again, offered himself a slalom through the Nice defense in the 19th minute of the game. Coming from the left, the Belgian dynamo adjusted Pouplin with a powerful right-footed shot at the near post. A la Del Piero. Undoubtedly the man of this first half, the Neapolitan number 14 was not enough for his team to reach the break with a lead.
And for a reason, with a good 5 minutes left before the break, Séri cleaned Rafael’s top corner after excellent work by Pléa, who resisted two opponents before serving him. With a goal, a decisive pass, and a penultimate pass, the former Lyon player was directly involved in his team’s three achievements this evening.
Because after the break, Nice came back strong and quickly regained the advantage on the score. While Lorenzo Insigne had just worried Pouplin with a superb long-range strike, Nice’s counterattack was set in motion. Following a superb collective movement initiated by a perfect pass from Ben Arfa to Alassane Pléa, Niklas Hult crossed for Valère Germain, who scored with a smashing header. Napoli then paid for their lack of match fitness and proved less dangerous than in the first half. Callejon was sent off for the Neapolitans after a heated exchange with Mahamane Traoré after 68 minutes on the pitch. The coaches rotated players, the best moments were behind, and the score would not change.
The outcome is, of course, positive for the Gym, who treated themselves to a prestigious victory. But adjustments are still necessary. While the offensive inspiration is extremely reassuring after a last season lacking in highlights in that area, the defense still needs to find its feet. The mistakes made at the back serve as warnings before hosting a Monaco team that has been effective in its recent outings.
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