The OGC Nice was defeated last night at home in the Round of 64 of the French Cup against Rennes. After a nail-biting penalty shootout (6-7) and a match full of twists and turns, Nice was forced to bid farewell to the cup and has only the league left to play.
For OGC Nice, everything started well. The club from the French Riviera quickly got into the game, putting Stade Rennais under pressure. Ben Arfa, very active, repeatedly dribbled in the early part of the match, exemplified by his move past three opponents in the 15th minute.
Around him, the Nice playmaker could rely on the starting eleven that Claude Puel decided to field. In the 39th minute, Nice perfectly concluded their first half with a goal by Alexandre Mendy. Following a corner from Ben Arfa, Germain headed the ball, prompting a fantastic save from Costil. Mendy followed up and drove the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-0.
At that moment, the approximately 7,700 Nice supporters present at the Allianz were far from imagining that the match would become so complicated. And that the penalty shootout achieved by the Gym was almost miraculous.
It must be said that the Rennes team of the second half was no longer the same. Transformed by the entry of Quintero, Montanier’s team finally showed offensive intent. The Bretons also benefited from the sending-off of Koziello in the 74th minute after a second yellow card to increase the tempo. The post in the 79th minute followed by an equalizer in the 82nd. Jeanvier crossed for Boga on the left side, slightly offside, and the striker, on loan from Chelsea, took advantage of the assistant’s error to equalize.
Even though Rennes had taken the upper hand, OGC Nice held on until extra time. Until the 113th minute and the splendid goal by Benjamin Andrรฉ. Beautifully served at the edge of the box, the Rennes midfielder controlled the ball and shot instantly to find the top corner of Hassen’s net.
The match seemed decisively settled. That was not accounting for the foolish penalty conceded by Danzรฉ in the 118th minute. While trying to protect his goalkeeper’s clearance, the full-back obstructed Baysse. Ben Arfa took charge of the penalty and sent his team to the penalty shootout.
A penalty shootout full of suspense ended with the tenth shooter. After a miss by Gauthier Lloris, the fourth for Nice, Gelson Fernandes ended the suspense by successfully converting his attempt.
Photo credit and more information at www.ogcnice.com
