After three victories last week, OGC Nice, full of confidence, hosted AC Ajaccio, 18th in Ligue 1, this Friday. Despite being challenged in this match, the team from Nice still managed to secure a commanding win.
One shouldn’t have arrived late at Allianz Riviera as the first goal was scored in less than 3 minutes, during the first opportunity of the game. It was the Aiglons’ captain, Dante, who opened the scoring from a corner by Bouanani (his third assist). At 39 years and 115 days old, the Brazilian became the oldest player to score in the top 5 European leagues this season. Although Gym took the lead very early in this match, it was the Ajaccio players who were better organized and more daring. While one might have expected to see a Corsican team retreating in a low block, the team instead pressed and tried to take control of the game. The Nice players gradually slowed down, struggling to break through a well-placed Ajaccio defense, but were only seriously threatened once (42nd minute). Despite the goal and Bouanani’s double chance hitting the woodwork (40th minute), Digard and his staff were not satisfied with their team’s first-half performance.
Even though the Aiglons’ level of play was very insufficient in the first half, they still seemed off pace at the start of the second half. Nice hardly held on to the ball while ACA advanced confidently into the red and black camp. Once again, Bouanani created danger for the Corsican goal with a long shot (60th minute). Realizing that Pantaloni’s players could equalize at any moment, Didier Digard made a bold move just after the hour mark with three substitutions that proved fruitful. Indeed, 5 minutes after coming onto the field, Diop set up Brahimi after an impressive dribbling run. Positioned at the edge of the area, the Algerian international struck the ball, making it 2-0. This goal greatly boosted the spirits of the Nice team as they entered the final 15 minutes. Energized by this second goal, Gym controlled the match until Bilel Brahimi scored another, sealing the deal. Served on his right side, as injury time approached, the former Angers player unleashed a strike from over 25 meters that found the top corner. A fantastic goal that surely marks the resurgence of Brahimi, who has scored 3 goals in two games.
Thus, with a 3-0 scoreline, Gym secured the victory against AC Ajaccio. A significant score that does not reflect a balanced match highlighted by the individual exploits of Nice wingers (Bouanani and Brahimi). Didier Digard’s OGC Nice remains undefeated and temporarily climbs to 7th place in the standings.
