After the defeat in the Coupe de France final against Nantes, the Eagles had to quickly lift their heads and focus on the European places. Facing a Saint-Etienne team fighting for survival, the match promised to be a tough battle.
From the start of the match, OGC Nice showed a willingness to press forward and play. Despite the lack of offensive play in recent weeks, the strategy implemented early on seemed similar to previous matches: working the flanks to deliver crosses into the box.
Thus, the Gym tries to make a difference on the wings, first on the right side with Daniliuc (5th) and then Brahimi (6th) who both try to find Delort;
Like in the last meetings, the Nice team faces little success with this style of attack, but there’s also an evident desire to quickly project forward upon regaining possession.
After 10 minutes of play, on Saint-Etienne’s first possession, the Greens attempt a quick counter and Denis Bouanga is found deep at the edge of offside. With support from Nordin, the Gabonese player manages to create chaos in the defense and scores a goal that silences the Allianz.
In the following play, the Stephanois look for Bouanga again, this time on a cross from Maçon.
As usual with Pascal Dupraz, his team creates danger through counter-attacks.
On Nice’s side, they persist in using the wings, without success. They also try for depth with Delort or Brahimi through Todibo, but it never lands at their feet.
At the 35th minute, the entire Azurean stadium believes in an equalizer, but Kluivert, who had free space on the left, fails to complete his action.
Even though they hold the ball, Nice doesn’t really trouble ASSE’s defense, and on another counter, the Greens score another goal. It all starts from a collective push forward and Boudebouz centers to the far post, Youssouf subtly taps it and finds the top corner of Benitez. 2-0 for Saint-Etienne in the last seconds of the first half.
The first half was very bitter, the Eagles likely still had their heads in Paris. With sterile possession and fruitless offensive tactics, the Gym players were far from breaking through and got caught by the well-executed counters of the Stephanois.
At the beginning of the second half, the Gym players attempt to use more depth, but it’s still not fruitful.
On one of the rare well-constructed attacks near the box, Nice starts to put pressure on the Green’s defense. It’s former Lyon player Bard who takes matters into his own hands by infiltrating from the left wing. At the end of his run, the full-back shoots from the corner and places the ball in the far top corner. 1-2 at the 52nd minute.
A few minutes later, we finally see a successful cross, authored by Daniliuc. The Gym begins to show something with renewed energy spurred by the crowd and Bard’s goal.
The Nice players manage to make more differences and provoke fouls that provide set-piece opportunities. A free kick is obtained at 25 meters, Kluivert and Gouiri discuss who will take it, but it’s Delort who takes it perfectly. With a powerful strike, the former MHSC captain beats Bernardoni and equalizes for the Gym! 2-2 just at the hour mark.
Saint-Étienne isn’t in it anymore, and Kluivert finds Lemina at the penalty spot, the Dutchman is much more precise in his decisions and executions. Moments later, we see him again in depth, entering the box and perfectly serving Delort who finishes with the instep (62nd minute).
In the space of 10 minutes, Nice has come back into the match and now takes the lead!
Pressured, Sainte attempts to come back after good possession, with Camara trying his luck, but Benitez is on it.
On his first ball, Boudaoui, the unfortunate culprit of Nantes’ victorious penalty, receives a pass from Delort, the Algerian hits after the bounce and scores an exceptional goal. 4-2 for Nice, it’s madness!
In these last minutes, ASSE will have several chances to score a third goal, first with Thioub (83rd) who attempts a curled shot on the right, then with Aouchiche (87th) who is blocked by Benitez, and finally with Hamouma (93rd) who takes advantage of a Daniliuc error and serves Crivelli who misses the unmissable.
But it’s OGC Nice who will secure the victory in this utterly crazy scenario.
A thrilling victory for Christophe Galtier’s players this Wednesday, the Azurean team showed a dismal face in the first half by conceding two goals and producing very insufficient attacking play. Returning from the locker room, fueled by new energy and Malvin Bard’s early goal, the Eagles turned the tide and found success led by an exceptional Andy Delort, a double scorer and assistant to his compatriot Boudaoui. However, this victory carries a bitter taste due to the shameful chant from some Nice supporters about the death of former Nantes player Emiliano Sala.
With this success, OGC Nice regains fourth place in the standings, a fine position in the goal of returning to Europe next season.
