Short but precious victory for OGC Nice 2-1 against Lens thanks to Amavi and Digard. The Gym is officially saved and could even aim for 11th place if they win in Toulouse on the last day.
Finally, they can breathe, relax, let go. Like last season, the people of Nice secured their spot in the top league on matchday 37. But this time, it’s a victory that gives them the right to play, next August, a 14th consecutive season in the elite. Trailing in the score, they showed character to come back and win. A little sign of destiny, it’s Didier Digard who gives his team the victory, likely for his last match in Nice.
The start of the match is clearly in favor of the Niçois, motivated by the objective of staying up. Alassane Plea takes the first shot but the Lens defense deflects it for a corner (5th minute). Two minutes later, Albert combines with Carlos Eduardo but once again encounters a well-placed opposing defense (7th minute). But on their first shot, Lens opens the scoring. Adamo Coulibaly easily shakes off Lloyd Palun, centers back and finds Touzghar completely alone who just has to push the ball into the net (0-1, 13th minute).
Chances continue to come for Nice, Jordan Amavi thinks he’s opened the scoring well-placed by a free kick from Bosetti but his header goes over (17th minute). Mouez Hassen saves his team with a beautiful save as Valdivia’s shot was heading into the top corner (25th minute). The Niçois equalize at the half-hour mark. Bosetti’s free kick is deflected by Carlos Eduardo. A scramble follows, but Jordan Amavi stays focused and sees his pivot shot find the back of the net (1-1, 29th minute). Nothing significant happens in the last 15 minutes except for a cross from Plea poorly controlled by Bosetti while the goal was open.
“At 0-1, we tell ourselves we’re not in great shape but that’s the only time they approached our goal. We knew we would come back. Now, we’re going to savor the fact that we’ve stayed up because this season has been tough,” says Alexy Bosetti in the mixed zone.
The second half kicks off with a bang for the red and black. Carlos Eduardo misses his one-on-one with Belon, it was a chance for 2-1 (50th minute). The same Brazilian shakes off Gbamin’s marking and follows with a shot that flies into the clouds (58th minute). And suddenly, Nice retreats and gives confidence to Lens, who won’t give up. First, Coulibaly’s header grazes the post of Mouez Hassen (63rd minute). On the next play, Chavarria shoots wide when alone in front of the Nice goalkeeper (65th minute). Claude Puel’s men react through Plea, well-served by Carlos Eduardo, but Belon intervenes (74th minute).
And in the 80th minute, it’s “Captain” Digard who gives the Gym the lead and at the same time secures their place in the league. From a precise corner by Valentin Eysseric, the temporary center defender gets ahead of the Lens goalkeeper and heads the ball into the net (2-1, 80th minute). Good at Saint-Étienne, Hassen is again decisive tonight with a save from a Le Moigne shot (87th minute). Plea has two chances to seal the win at the end of the match but misses the target.
“It’s a good thing to secure our place. We can finally take a deep breath because it’s been exhausting. My goal is like a symbol. A lot of things went through my mind with that goal. I’m happy,” concludes Didier Digard.
Having secured their spot, the people of Nice will head to Toulouse next Saturday with the aim of moving up in the standings. With tonight’s results (Saturday, Editor’s note), Nice is in 12th place and can still finish 11th. The Aiglons will be able to play free from the weight of securing their place. The club, the players, and the fans would gladly sign up for a 10th victory this season to finish 2014-2015 on a high note after all the adventures we know about.
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
