The violent slap inflicted on Lyon as a benchmark, it was an OGC Nice expected to step up to the plate that was going to face a team from Le Mans, struggling with points away (5 matches with as many defeats on the road). A match that would begin between a Gym in search of revival and a MUC72 grappling with an even more difficult start to the season than its opponent.
In a sparsely filled Ray stadium (9,000 spectators) but noisy, the pressure was becoming palpable despite the tranquility regained over the past week.
In the stands, the supporters gradually regained confidence, as evidenced by the many flags adorning the popular sections, lower second sections, and the first South stand. In unison, the ultras could sing their hope mixed with pride once more. On the field, it was determined and impactful Aiglons who were the first to make attempts, with Mounier (2nd) and Rémy (10th) validating the first incursions into the opponent’s camp without really creating danger. As if a sign of fate, it was on a decision by the referee, Mr. Bré, that the fate of the match seemed to be drawn. After a run by Bagayoko, the Malian international found himself facing the Brazilian Geder. A struggle for possession of the ball did not sit well with the Le Mans defender, using his elbows a little too much, sending the Nice forward to the ground. A red card for the visitors who would now play with ten men from the 16th minute, leaving space for Didier Ollé-Nicole’s men. A change of situation that did little to benefit the Ray wards, who were usually uninspired when it came to applying pressure at 10 against 11.
Yet it was on a beautiful free-kick taken by Julien Sablé that opportunities became more and more pressing, with a header from the ever-present Loïc Rémy, just over the bar (20th). At this point in the match, the Red and Black house had no doubts, far from their antics of not so long ago, but could not find the breakthrough. Constructive phases of play began to emerge, and there was a willingness to quickly drive forward, but Le Mans was vigilant, eventually counterattacking. From a Corchia free-kick, Helstad, strangely alone, struck a ball that bounced not far from David Ospina, quick to punch the ball in the air (38th). PHEW! A jolt that had the merit of waking the Aiglons before halftime. Offended, the Nice eleven surged forward again with David Hellebuyck launching the restless Rémy, the international delivering a perfect cross from his wing for Anthony Mounier, whose header was cleared off the line!! As we headed for a goalless halftime, Chaouki Ben Saada prepared to take a corner but then decided to wait a few seconds… enough time for a Nice defender to move into the penalty area and ask him to delay his corner kick. Determined, the newly established Ismaël Gace positioned himself where the Le Mans goalkeeper, Ovono, made a blunder moments later. With a well-directed header, this product of the youth academy sent the ball into the back of the net. 1-0!!! Ray erupted, and the players’ joy was uncontained, like a rediscovered pleasure when celebrating a partner’s goal, felt by the whole team. You could sense a renewed unity in their reaction. The striker’s finger pointed to the sky was like a symbol of this team’s moral values. These are the details that win you a match, as sometimes the opposite does…
Halftime had sounded, and the task was half done. What was the next step for this match? Manage it? Hammer home the advantage? A bit of both, struggling as best as they could. Returning from the locker room, the locals aimed to wrap up the match. Sometimes clumsy but with a genuine desire to succeed, OGCN would rely on their teamwork and constructed attacks. After an over-the-bar shot by Mounier (49th), the result of good work by Rémy from his side, it was Le Mans who would prove dangerous. The Red and Black goalkeeper would play the human catapult to punch away a perilous ball (51st) but would find himself powerless against Helstad’s shot, which saw its trajectory drop behind the goals (53rd). Against a team with one fewer player, the difference wasn’t really felt in midfield. More punchy, Nice would nonetheless create numerous chances but failed to double the score. A diving header from Bagayoko that made the opposition goalkeeper shine (69th), a cross from Mounier for the same “Baga,” just too short (73rd), a shot just over from Mounier after nice chest control in the box (81st).
Time ticked away with the scoreline unchanged. It seemed we were heading for a quiet victory for the Aiglons… But then in came some new errors on the part of the Nice defense, abandoning Lamah, alone in front of Ospina, whose shot hit the crossbar before Helstad only poorly whipped the ball, having little chance of seeing it cross the line (88th). The danger was averted. The specter of bad luck was also avoided. One last action from Ben Saada, who dribbled before being thwarted by Ovono (89th), and the referee finally blew the final whistle of the match. 1-0, 6 points in 2 matches. The mission was accomplished, but the efficiency and the few defensive lapses, neutralized thanks to luck, need to be improved. Nevertheless, Ray could sing and applaud its players who managed to hold their heads up high and foster a new winning mentality.
