The date of September 22 will forever be etched in the minds of the 35,000 privileged spectators who were able to attend the inauguration of their club’s new arena, as well as a superb victory by their team, who moved into fifth place in the Ligue 1 standings just behind Monaco, PSG, Saint-Etienne, and Marseille.
After the majestic arrival of the eagle bringing the key to the Allianz Riviera and the first chant led by Tchoa, the capo of the Populaire Sud, it was now time for the young players to take possession of their new playing field. From the very first minutes of play, the Niçois showed a clear superiority over their opponents, who were quickly warned by Mr. Turpin. We reached the first half-hour of play, and it was from one of many forays into the Northern defense that the solution came through a handball by Angoua. Mr. Turpin pointed to the penalty spot, and Dario Cvitanich gave Penneteau no chance, deceiving him with an unstoppable counter-foot (1-0). The Allianz Riviera could exult, and the Nice striker etched his name in the records. Far from settling for this result, the young players continued to press, and it was at the very end of the first half that Bauthéac, well-served by Abriel, doubled the score just before heading back to the locker rooms under the ovations of the stands draped in red and black (2-0).
Repeat in the early second half with a booming Bauthéac and an elusive Mendy who bewildered the sluggish Valenciennes players. Daniel Sanchez then brought in Matthieu Dossevi while Claude Puel introduced his young talents, Bosetti and Amavi. And the result did not take long, with Amavi on the left side eliminating Mater before delivering a cross, deflected by Rose, which ended up on Brüls’ head, who placed the ball into the empty net (3-0).
The scoring could have been complete, but it was without considering the local hero, Alexy Bosetti, superbly served by a top-level Digard, who with an ingenious touch sealed Penneteau’s fate for the fourth and final time of the evening (4-0). The last minutes added nothing further to the scoreboard, and players, management, and the public could continue celebrating their new magnificent venue, which will undoubtedly witness many more to come!
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
