As if to set the tone for the evening, it was the team from Nice who scored the first goal of the evening through Alassane Pléa, who ultimately secured his side’s victory at Guingamp (2-3).
OGC Nice finally got the job done by winning at Guingamp, but Monaco, on the other hand, remained unfazed by securing a home win against Montpellier (2-0). Dreams of the Champions League have vanished, and it will be the Europa League for Nice, who will have to wait for the French Cup final, hoping for a PSG victory against Olympique de Marseille. Marseille, on their side, will attempt to salvage their calamitous season by qualifying for Europe.
It was Pléa (2nd and 62nd) and Mendy (44th) who stepped up to add three precious points to the standings, keeping Lille at a good distance and offering a splendid fourth place at the end of a season that has seen more than just a group emerge, but a true spirit. Always fighting hard throughout the year, the team from Nice once again demonstrated their determination and joy of playing, as they remained ahead on the scoreboard until the final whistle.
The other season is now set to begin with departures, more or less announced, and the essential arrivals needed to compete on all fronts. It is well known how difficult it is to successfully navigate a European campaign alongside the league and national cups. Many French teams have had the painful experience…
Even though this achievement should be savored at its true value, work must resume quickly as of Monday to build this new team, which will reportedly have to manage without their coach Claude Puel and their gem Hatem Ben Arfa. But could a direct qualification for the Europa League not entice the two leading figures, who have been the driving forces behind this success?
We will likely get an answer in a few days after the French Cup final, when, for the first and only time this season, Nice and their supporters will have their eyes only on the Parisians…
