The young eagles will return to the locker rooms with just a single point against an Olympique Lyonnais team that ultimately made the most of the afternoon. The last day will therefore be decisive, even if the Azuréens are no longer masters of their destiny, which will also be played out during a Lille-Saint Étienne match redolent of Europe.
Everything was set for a grand celebration with a tifo visible from the tram and a stadium packed with a crowd fully supporting the red and black cause. The first surprise was the club’s newly revamped logo, which was well received according to the initial comments echoing through the stands. The two teams could step into a heated arena for one of those matches a professional footballer dreams of playing. The first half began with an advantage for the visitors who monopolized the ball without being dangerous. The first Nice attack came just after the fifteenth minute, with Cvitancih starting the move, finding Digard who then extended it to Bosetti, but the young Niçois couldn’t find the frame, hindered by Gourcuff. The game balanced out, but the Lyonnais remained on the attack and it took a save from Kolodziejczak in front of Benzia to prevent the Lyonnais from scoring. A final attempt by Dabo was well-captured by Ospina, and Mr. Turpin could blow the whistle for the end of the first half. The Ray Stadium could breathe again, in the space of a pissaladière and a drink.
And you didn’t want to linger too long at the refreshments if you didn’t want to miss the first significant event of the match with an indisputable penalty on Dario Cvitancih, who took justice into his own hands by scoring in the early minutes of the game (1-0). OL was halted in their tracks, and the first fouls rained down with a card for Koné followed by Grenier. The hour mark was reached, and glances became more frequent than the clock on the scoreboard. Digard made Lopes shine, Malbranque did the same with Ospina, but the goals of the two goalkeepers remained unbroken. The hour mark was reached, and tensions rose with two more warnings for Civelli and Gonalons. Lisandro Lopez replaced Malbranque for Lyon, and Jérémy Pied came on for Bosetti for Nice. A major scare in the 72nd minute when Gomis clashed with Kolodziejczak before serving Lisandro Lopez, who hesitated and was ultimately blocked by Pied. With just a quarter of an hour of play left, a new happy episode for the Niçois, with, after a second foul, a deserved expulsion for Gonalons. Things were looking good for the red and black side, but the dream would be short-lived following a foul and a free kick from 30 meters against Ospina’s goal. Clément Grenier took the shot and dispatched a clear strike that nestled into the top corner of the Nice goalkeeper’s net (1-1).
With eleven against ten, Claude Puel’s men tried everything to turn the tide once again while remaining very attentive to Lyonnais incursions. The Niçois pushed forward, but Cvitanich saw his shot blocked and the ensuing corner was well cleared by the Lyon backline. Claude Puel made his final substitution by bringing on Bahoken. A good move for the Azuréen coach, as the newcomer quickly showed his worth by delivering a perfect cross to Dario Cvitanich, who couldn’t convert his attempt, which sailed over into the South stand. One last free kick as a final chance, but nothing changed, and it was on a level score that Mr. Turpin blew the whistle for the end of the match.
So, see you next Saturday in Ajaccio for the last day and a must-win for the Niçois, who have not yet stopped dreaming of European stars…
Photo credit and more at www.ogcnice.com
