After a challenging match, the Gym must settle for a draw (1-1) against LOSC. Both teams performed well, and the sharing of points is nothing scandalous.
History repeats itself. The latecomers of the evening were surely regretful. Just like last week, Nice quickly took the lead. Once again, as early as the 4th minute, Pléa and Koziello’s high pressing caused Amadou to crack, leading him to lose the ball in front of the goal. The young Nice midfielder only had to put it past Enyeama. An ideal start to the match for Nice.
Furthermore, the Eagles pushed to double their lead. Without Dante (but with the same starting eleven as in Angers), facing Lille in difficulty, Nice was in control. An Eysseric shot hit the side netting (10th minute) and a few well-placed inspirations allowed Nice to manage their advantage. Dalbert, once again very active on the left, crossed for Eysseric, but he missed his control (18th minute). The Lille players, timid and erratic, were dominated by the rather generous Nice team, despite turnovers and lapses of attention.
A Contentious Action
But unlike last week, Nice didn’t manage to hold onto their advantage. In the 27th minute, Franck Béria received a pass from Benzia in the Nice box. The Lille defender opened his foot and beat Cardinale, who was powerless. The problem: the goal was marred by an offside. However, the damage was done, and Nice conceded their first goal of the season.
Afterward, Nice seemed demobilized, surprised by this unexpected goal given how much Lille had struggled. Nice backed down but held on. And played on the counter. Dalbert found Pléa’s head, but it went wide (38th minute). Despite shots from Cyprien and Pléa for Nice and from Sankharé and Eder for Lille, the score remained unchanged until halftime (1-1).
A More Balanced Second Half
After the break, Nice resumed the attack. But Lille looked more dangerous with a tricky free-kick from former Nice player Éric Bauthéac (applauded by the crowd when he exited), which forced Cardinale into a last-ditch save (48th minute).
While the Nice crowd unveiled a banner of solidarity for the victims of the earthquake that ravaged central Italy, the Eagles pushed and Dalbert, after significant work on the left side, served Pléa who miscontrolled, leading to chaos (56th minute).
In a highly charged stadium, Nice suffered numerous fouls from Lille that broke the flow of play. Bodmer and Béria were successively cautioned. The end of the match was more uncertain, and the Nice offensive trio (Pléa, Eysseric, Cyprien) was unable to find a breakthrough in Lille’s defense. Very active upon entering, Nicolas de Préville was stopped by Cardinale (70th minute) and sent a header onto the bar (87th minute). But luck seemed to favor Nice.
In the very last moments of the game, Walter nearly struck past Enyeama, but the Nigerian goalkeeper came out perfectly (90th minute). Then Eysseric, from a corner, deflected a header into the box (90+1st minute).
The score didn’t change, and both teams may have regrets. Nice had numerous opportunities but didn’t convert. The goal tainted by an offside also left a bitter taste to a draw in a match that could have swung either way.
Nice has 7 points after three games and temporarily holds the top spot in the league, level with Guingamp. Despite a transfer window not yet closed (attacking recruits are a necessity) and a squad lacking in cohesion, the outcome is more than satisfactory. It’s promising ahead of the matches against Marseille (Sunday, September 11 at 20:45) and then Monaco (Wednesday, September 21 at 19:00), not to mention the first UEFA Europa League match (Thursday, September 15 at 21:05). All of this follows an international break which will be beneficial for the players.
The Stat: 13
Like the number of shots by Nice during the match. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to break through a well-organized Lille defense. It is certainly a sign that Nice’s attack is performing better than one might have expected, but it does not diminish the urgent need to recruit for this position.
The reaction of Valentin Eysseric: “We were a bit tired, especially in the second half. We had heavy legs. It was very hot, but we have to deal with it, the conditions are the same for both teams. It was a good draw with chances. We could have been caught out, as we left ourselves open, and they were dangerous in some situations. We’ll take this point, making it 7 in three games, it’s a good start, and we need to continue like this. The break will do us good, and we can rest and work well to excel against Marseille. I want to thank the fans, who really supported me tonight.”
The reaction of Lucien Favre: “We have to learn to accept this draw. Consider what the opponents offered. It’s a good point, both teams could have won. Athletically they were superior. Technically too. There weren’t enough opportunities for us to break through. We needed more shots like Cyprien’s in the second half.”
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