In the aisles of the stadium, fans eagerly awaited the return of the home league as much as the warm reunion with a likable man known for his straightforward speech. From stabilizing Gym in the elite for 4 years to the League Cup final against Nancy, which gathered 28,000 people from Nice at the Stade de France, the native of Venzolasca has left fans with a taste close to gratitude. It was the feeling most akin to recognition. Now face to face but still good friends, under a scorching sun and battling sweltering temperatures, the 12,824 spectators present in Nice-Nord could commune with the field and its players.
After Bjeko and Anto, the fan support for one of their own
“You see the man with the jersey and jeans? That’s Nenad Bjekovic, the best striker who played for Nice, he inspired a whole generation… the images come back to me as if it were yesterday,” Pierre is a man driven by emotions. Like many people from Nice, who have made this trait a value. Proud to recount to his grandson the great chapters of the Aiglons’ history, this long-standing supporter and his contemporaries remember an exceptional player accustomed to technical feats and a barrage of goals over 5 years (1976 to 1981) in the Nice jersey. He even managed the feat of lifting Nice to the 6th place in the league as a coach in 1989. A performance that has been waiting to be beaten for 20 years now. The former Yugoslav striker has been retired for a while but his time on the Côte d’Azur left a mark on many, not just in the County of Nice. His appearance for the kickoff was seen as a symbol around the stadium, a kind of renewal of a glorious era. Who knows? An ovation for the former favorite of the Ray before the entrance of Frédéric Antonetti onto the field. Predictable acclaim and choruses that do not forget the one who worked hard for Gym. Back to the present, the new coach, Didier Ollé-Nicole, has already followed in his predecessor’s footsteps, becoming a true Niçois. Through his speeches, his demeanor, his ambition, he has already gained the support and friendship of all or part of the Ray, who sing his name loudly.
A very particular match, but that did not prevent the BSN and the ARN from launching into vocal performances. Added to this were numerous banners of encouragement and flags flying throughout the game. And when Chaouki Ben Sadda controlled the ball with his chest and then his head, which he could carry from midfield to Douchez’s goal after a wild run and a legendary goal, the old Ray could explode again. Even if Rennes equalized immediately after on a penalty. The banners were unearthed again, the flags could wave in the azure sky. But the most important message was laden with seriousness. Signs where one could read “Support for our unfairly imprisoned friend,” “Justice for our convicted.”
Olivier Fazio
