The start of the second half proved fatal to the young eagles, who were nonetheless enterprising and valiant, and sometimes not really helped by the refereeing decisions of Mr. Lannoy, who was not at his best. In the end, a defeat that hurts both the heart and the standings before going to challenge Marseille on their home ground.
Yet, it had started the best way possible with this solo action by the young lad from the old town, Alexy Bosetti, who cleverly chipped Carasso with the outside of his foot, leaving him only to witness the damage (1-0). Despite the clear intentions of their opponents for the evening, it was the young eagles who took the lead. Approaching half an hour of play, on one of the long balls sent by the Bordeaux midfield, it’s Bauthéac who “grazes” Khazri for a questionable penalty, which Diabaté will convert (1-1). No matter, the red and black move forward again, and on a long free-kick from Valentin Eysseric, the ball rises in the box without anyone touching it, nor even Carasso, who sees it end its course in his net. The stadium erupts a minute before halftime, but celebrations are short-lived as the goal is disallowed for an offside position.
Both teams return to the lockers with a flattering draw for Willy Sagnol’s men.
You had to be quick at the counter or in the lounges of Allianz Riviera to catch the first incident of the second half since only two minutes after the restart, it’s the Bordeaux team and Maurice-Belay who take the lead (1-2). A tough blow right after the break, but the Nice team does not give up, trying to come back. Just before the hour mark, the visitors make the final difference with Sertic, who perfectly opens his foot to adjust Hassen one last time (1-3).
The die was cast, and the new leader of Ligue 1 had struck again, after having knocked out the neighboring Monegasque on their home ground (4-1) last week. Perhaps a new contender for the podium? On the Nice side, not much regret to have from a complicated match, sometimes questionable refereeing decisions, and the absence of Cvitanich, which was clearly felt. It is worth noting the good entries by Maupay and Honorat and the appearance at the end of the match of the former Marseillais Diawara, who, along with his teammates, will return to the Stade Vélodrome next Friday at 8:30 PM.
In the meantime, the wound must be tended to, and thoughts must turn to the strategy to present against an Olympian team that won yesterday evening in Guingamp (0-1) and will want to secure the derby in a stadium favorable to them but unlikely to accept another home defeat after their first one conceded last week against Montpellier (0-2).
A derby that already promises to be exciting!
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