OGC Nice 1-1 FC Nantes: Eagles and Canaries neutralize each other

# Detail. A very common term in modern football. Football analysts and consultants use it frequently. So, from the start of the match, from the first actions where each of the teams, Nice and Nantes, rivaled in caution and timidity, it was obvious that this second day of L1 opposing the Eagles to the Canaries would be played on a detail. Which one? Set pieces certainly, a possible individual error or personal brilliance.

Both teams displayed zero points on the scoreboard. Nice had lost in Le Mans (1-0) and Nantes had suffered the law of French champions Lyon (3-1). The first half begins with two red and black chances. First, a heavy low shot from Florent Balmont on a free kick that Vladimir Stojkovic, the new Nantes goalkeeper irreproachable this evening, deflects for a corner (3rd). On the corner kick taken by the left foot of Rool, Moussilou deflects the ball for Cédric Varrault surprised who, one meter from goal, shoots over.

The two teams neutralize each other during the first forty-five minutes. Bakari Koné, back, demonstrated at the 25th that he had not left his bit of speed in Germany. From 40 meters, the Ivorian accelerates, breaks through the Nantes defense and shoots but Stojkovic stretches and repels the Nice pocket striker’s attempt. The biggest chance goes to Serge Le Dizet’s players. Mamadou Diallo gets ahead of Rod Fanni on an opening from the valuable Boukhari. He manages to serve Emerse Fae who only has to adjust Hugo Lloris but Fae, clumsy or hindered by the young Nice goalkeeper’s quick rush, shoots wide (40th). The first half ends with the spectacular injury of Marama Vahirua, the former favorite of the Beaujoire, who after a collision with Boukhari and having been treated on the bench, returns to the pitch and faints. Ederson replaces him.

The second half will be more lively but still just as barren in clear chances. We still await from both sides the detail that will tip the match. It happens at the 54th. Florent Balmont accomplishes a breakthrough down the middle which he has the secret for. Alioum Saïdou, the Cameroonian defensive midfielder of FC Nantes unbalances him. Referee Laurent Duhamel rightfully punishes for Nice and harshly for Nantes. Ederson takes charge of the sentence and with a wrapped shot from 25 meters, he lodges the ball in the right corner of Stojkovic’s goal. A free kick with the Brazilian label and Juninho-like. The Ray will remember that the Eagles’ first goalscorer’s name is Honorato Campos Ederson.

By stepping onto the pitch, the young “auriverde” brought spontaneity and sparkle to the match without setting it ablaze. The Canaries had until then contained the Eagles without too much difficulty relying on a solid central defense Guillon-Cetto. But they had to open up and thus unleash the game. Serge Le Dizet brings on three offensive reinforcements in turn: Denis Oliech, Julio Rossi and Dimitri Payet. Wilhelmsson then weighs more and more on the game and finally mistreats Cédric Varrault. Same situation on the left wing where Aurélien Capoue, discreet becomes restless. Nantes has character and wants to leave rewarded for their 1600th match. If not the cherry at least the cake. A flash of Rossi on a free kick identical to Ederson’s allows Nantes to equalize in a Ray then full of silent monks disappointed to see their players like last year concede a draw in the first home game. This match was decided on a double detail. One free kick each. Logical draw. Appointment in fifteen days to see against Olympique Lyonnais the Gym’s progress.

## The Game, The Players

Nice dominates territorially but shows itself very little dangerous due to lack of impact and pass inaccuracy. The desire is there and even if Matt Moussilou is the only new Eagle in the starting lineup, one has the impression that it lacks automatisms. **Lloris** could do nothing about Rossi’s free kick. He was quick and reassuring in his exits even though he was approximate on one of them (70th) and on a foot save (70th). The defense seemed solid until Ederson’s goal. The **Yahia-Abardonado** axis proved solid. **Fanni and Varrault** had to work to contain the assaults of the Nantes wingers. Offensively, both fullbacks poorly executed their crosses. The **Echouafni-Rool-Balmont** trident was effective. Florent Balmont was the most impactful of the three. He played his piston role perfectly. **Vahirua and Ederson** brought liveliness but stumbled on the final pass. The Brazilian was nonetheless decisive and profited from the spaces at 1-0. The Tahitian suffered stricter marking in the first half from Saïdou and Faé. **Matt Moussilou and Baky Koné** ran a lot. Often into empty space. Moussilou has intelligent movements: lateral, in depth. He is a complete striker and proved it by not hesitating to drop back and defend. Baky Koné shifted to the right side in the first half where he gave trouble to Nicolas Savinaud, placed left back. He could have been decisive at the 25th on his Kone-like action. Not quite 100%, the Ivorian was replaced by **David Bellion**. He touched many balls, made himself available, had some wastage but was the author of a good right-wing breakthrough and a good cross that Moussilou could not finish.

**Nice Podium: Ederson-Balmont-Rool.**

For Nantes, the lack of automatism finding is more understandable with four newcomers (goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, midfielders Alioum Saidou, Christian Wilhelmsson and Nourdin Boukhari).
**Vladimir Stojkovic** was very good. Like Lloris, he could do nothing about Ederson’s free kick. **Mauro Cetto** and young captain **Loïc Guillon** calmly assured the Nantes defense. Without panicking, they controlled things. **Nicolas Savinaud** was the defender most in difficulty. In the first half, Koné and Fanni often got the better of him and in the second half David Bellion put him to work. **Eric Cubilier**, on a pitch he knows well, was sober and seemed to regain the level he once had. Jérémy Toulalan left for Lyon but one must believe that FC Nantes will always have defensive midfielders of great talent. **Emerse Faé and Alioum Saïdou** showed their worth. They are strong defensively and impose their physicality. Offensively, they know how to bring their technique. We could see this in the second half where they were less timid. **Nourdin Boukhari**, the former Ajax player, started the match with drums beating. All balls went through him but he faded unlike **Christian Wilhelmsson and Aurélien Capoue** who ramped up to finish very strong. **Mamadou Diallo** was very discreet except for the 40th minute action where he gives a goal-scoring opportunity to Faé. The three substitutes Oliech, goalscorer Rossi, and Payet brought more impact.

**Nantes Podium: Cetto-Faé-Stojkovic**