They were against the wall, heads down, with the bitter taste of defeat in their shoes. Before the clash of extremes, the Nice players didn’t know which foot to dance on, or even run. Facing the Gones, Didier Ollé-Nicole’s men were not exactly favorites against a Lyon team that arrived as conquerors of the Azure lands. Victorious at Anfield, some were temporarily propelled onto the roof of Europe. Defeated in Lorient, the others were seriously threatening to hum a requiem in the basement. At Nice Nord, the scores were reset to zero, the thousands of spectators who came to support the Gym held their breath from the first minutes of the game, the specter of a setback turning into heavy air conditioning seemed to sweep away the wildest hopes and the sweetest dreams.
In the arena, 11 “Nissarts” dressed in their Red and Black tunic had in turn become supporters. Heart, faith, passion, pride. Like the banners displayed by the BSN, the poorly ranked Ligue 1 team was about to sound the revolt. The cry of victory. On the field, Julien Sablé ignited the stands of the stadium from the first seconds, inviting the crowd to join what seemed to be an unexpected rebellion more than an unforeseen one. This same man, captain for the evening, was able to threaten Rémy Vercoutre for the first time with a powerful low shot on a free kick. Spirited, the locals astonished with their ability to project forward, exemplified by Loïc Rémy, who persistently made runs down his corridor. It took him only 17 minutes for his perfect cross to find the powerful head of Mamadou Bagayoko, already a scorer against OL with the Aiglons in 2005-06 (1-1), during his year-long stay. The explosion of joy in every corner of the stadium mixed with astonishment.
The league leaders tried, clashing against a solid block…the same that had conceded 20 goals in 9 days, with “challenger” Ismaël Gace included. The 39th minute mirrored the long-awaited Great Evening. Rémy, yet again on the right, could deliver a cross into the penalty area that was deflected by Aly Cissokho. Surprised, Vercoutre couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line. 2-0. The halftime whistle blew by referee, Monsieur Jaffredo. Something was happening. No one dared recall the turnaround of last year and the Rhodanian 3-2 victory, true snatch theft, after OGCN had led by two goals. But the second half saw the Aiglons skillfully handle their football, as if these players, who had dejectedly looked upon, had been unenchanted. With only 20 minutes remaining, anything could still happen, a miracle or disappointment.
Grace then accompanied a counter by Anthony Mounier, who was able to send deep to David Hellebuyck, who got the better of Toulalan and deceived the Lyon goalkeeper, coming out to meet him, with a left-footed toe-poke. Nice 3 – Lyon 0. An exuberance that became palpable then turned into frenzy, in the heart of the old St Maurice district stadium. Sidney Govou, on his part, hit the crossbar, his shot hitting David Ospina’s crossbar, Lyon couldn’t win. Better yet, on a ball cleared far forward by his Colombian goalkeeper, OGC Nice was about to write a page of its history but also a less glorious one for its opponent. Loic Rémy, always him, outplayed the opposing defense to speed straight toward the goal and, despite Makoun’s return, pushed the ball into the net. 4 to 0 for Nice against Jean-Michel Aulas’s protégés. Since September 22, 1995, and a goal from Samuel Ipoua, Nice had not beaten Lyon.
The flags were out; the city and the County were finally going to dance in their glory. The ultras, the lovers, the sympathizers, and this whole big family could come out with honor and finally start a weekend on good terms. More than the manner and despite Ederson’s goal reduction, the Nice players could finally hope for a bright future. Provided, of course, they remember the refrain. The supporters repeat it vehemently. It is called “Nissa la Bella”.
