We take the same players and start again; Claude Puel decides to begin the match with the same lineup that beat Brest at Ray last weekend, facing a Lorient team that could dream of second place in the league with a victory against the “Aiglons”.
The “Merlus” quickly showed their potential through the always lively Giuly who successfully set up his teammate Alladière, but his side-foot shot went just wide of the goal guarded by Delle. The Nice team tried to respond, but Lecomte effectively deflected the danger by boxing the ball out of the Azuréens’ reach. The goalkeepers were celebrated in the early minutes of the game, with Delle thwarting Corgnet and Lecomte stopping Meriem, each maintaining their pride of place. Repeated clashes between Alladière and Civelli occurred, culminating in a warranted yellow card for the Merlu from Mr. Delerue, in consultation with the assistant referee. The “Aiglons” made further attempts without success, though it was noted that the proverbial guardian angels were necessarily on their side that evening. Nearing the end of the first half, although the level of play from both teams was not outstanding, it was indeed enjoyable to watch. Bauthéac received a yellow card for a foul on Romao, leading again to a duel between Meriem and Lecomte. However, this time, the Nice player had the upper hand with a superb volley shot that left the Lorient goalkeeper with no chance but to witness the score. The following minutes yielded nothing further, and with a hint of fortune and impeccable defense, Claude Puel’s men headed for the locker room.
The halftime talk seemed effective on the Lorient side, as the early minutes of the second half were completely in their favor with attempts from Barthelme, Mareque, and Joffre. However, either inaccuracy or Delle’s vigilance allowed the play to continue an hour in, with the “Aiglons” still leading. The first turning point came after 65 minutes with the expulsion of Lorient’s Bourillon, penalized for an elbow strike on Cvitanich, allowing Monet-Paquet to replace Barthelme. Jouffre unleashed another missile from beyond thirty meters, but Delle was vigilant once more. Bosetti replaced Cvitanich for Nice, while Giuly made way for Autret on the Lorient side. The hosts attempted to step up, with Jouffre, undoubtedly the best Breton on the field that night, having his latest drive deflected by the indomitable Civelli. As time ticked away, the clock closed in on the final five minutes, with Nice still narrowly ahead.
Final substitutions saw Castellana and Reale replacing Digard and Corgnet. As regulation time dwindled, Monnet-Paquet almost connected with a neat cross from Audret amidst the rousing cheers from a “Moustoir” that awakened at last. It was in the very last minute when the spectators could finally exult, as Monnet-Paquet placed an unstoppable side-foot shot, leaving not a shadow of a chance for the Azuréen goalkeeper. A cruel disappointment for the “Aiglons” who, despite the extra three minutes of play, failed to overturn the tide and had to settle for a single point—a point they would have surely taken at the start of the match, yet granting them only 11th place in the standings, rather than a much more appealing joint 6th place in the event of victory.
Nevertheless, not all regrets should linger after a match in which the Nice team once again demonstrated a tremendous spirit, auguring well for the continuation of a season leading them, by Wednesday, to Brest for a reunion with the Bretons, who will certainly be eager to erase last week’s underperformance but above all to offer their public qualification in the Coupe de la Ligue.
To be continued…
