Officially a candidate for European places, Nice confirmed (3-1) against Troyes without much trouble. Claude Puel’s group comes level with Lille and moves closer to the top three spots.
A job well done by the Aiglons who took advantage of this success, combined with the draw between Lyon and Saint-Etienne (1-1), to come within one point of fourth place and three points off the podium. The European dream is still alive on the Promenade des Anglais.
The essential for the Aiglons, weakened by absences but logically victorious on the occasion of receiving a bottom-placed team almost doomed to Ligue 2.
Facing realistic Troyes players, Claude Puel’s men waited until the end of the first half to increase their pressure and turn the tide. Civelli opportunistically equalized from a corner (1-1, 34th) and then Cvitanich took advantage of Bréchet’s lax marking to give OGCN the lead just before the break (2-1, 45th).
Author of his fifth goal of the season this Sunday, Renato Civelli sparked Nice’s comeback by equalizing with a header. Always present to rally the troops, the Argentine defender made several crucial recoveries to thwart opponent’s offensives. Didier Digard was also invaluable in the azure midfield where he managed to create openings for his attackers.
This time, Europe is clearly in sight for the Aiglons. OGC Nice dominated Troyes (3-1) on its Ray pitch, despite its staffing issues, thus keeping its dream of a 4th place alive. The goals were scored by Civelli, Cvitanich (15th goal of the season), and Bruins.
The match summary
21st: Mohamed Yattara opens the scoring for Troyes. From a corner played in two stages on the left side, the Troyes defender rises at 6 meters and catapults the ball into the back of the Nice net.
34th: Civelli equalizes for OGC Nice. From an outswinging corner from the right, Kévin Diaz volleys at the far post, forcing Yohann Thuram to make a save. Renato Civelli, on the alert, heads the released ball into the net.
45+1: Cvitanich gives Nice the lead. At the left corner of the box, Didier Digard sends a beautiful cross to the Argentine striker, behind Jérémie Bréchet, who deceives Yohann Thuram with a header.
77th: Goal by Luigi Bruins. Set in space on the right side, Grégoire Puel finds the midfielder at the edge of the box. The Dutch player controls and follows up with a right-footed cross-shot that finishes in the far corner of the net.
