A match without stakes but spectacular at Parc OL. Nice managed to equalize three times to hold Lyon, who had nevertheless fielded their best team.
Even though the result was anecdotal given the gap between the two teams at kickoff, the Aiglons delivered a quality performance, full of determination, to wrap up the 2016/2017 season in fine style.
Lucien Favre’s men, organized in a 3-5-2 as in the first part of the season, matched a Lyon team that was playing with its first-choice lineup. The elements weren’t in Gym’s favor, as OL quickly opened the scoring with a Depay strike deflected by Le Marchand, lobbing over Cardinale (1-0, 10th minute).
But Gym remained true to its principles and quickly equalized through Anastasios Donis. The Greek was rewarded for good pressing on the Gones’ keeper Anthony Lopes, who botched his clearance. Koziello intercepted, drew the Lyon defense, and served Donis who was able to score into an empty net (14th minute).
With no stakes, the first half-hour of the match was open, with both teams taking numerous initiatives. Seri missed the target (24th minute) while Fekir (20th minute) and Lacazette (26th minute) were stopped by Cardinale.
The pace dropped until halftime, and Gym was caught off guard just after the break. Lacazette made an excellent controlled touch to eliminate the Nice defense and fired past Cardinale (2-1, 48th minute).
Defeated by OM and Angers in the last two matchdays, the Red and Blacks didn’t want to end such a beautiful journey with a third consecutive loss. After attempts by Burner (51st minute) and Dalbert (65th minute), Donis scored his first double in Ligue 1 by finishing off a superb left-side run by Brazilian Dalbert, who outpaced the entire OL defense (2-2, 69th minute).
A thrilling draw that concluded an enjoyable match. But OL, more than 10 points behind Gym in the standings, had a lot to make up for with its audience and pushed to take the lead. Perfectly served by Tolisso at the penalty spot (and somewhat forgotten by the defense), Lacazette restored the advantage for the Gones and scored his 100th goal in Ligue 1 in his last match for his formative club (3-3, 78th minute). Behind for a third time in the match, Gym rejuvenated for the final moments with the introductions of Mahou and Srarfi. And it was the Tunisian who would initiate the Aiglons’ equalization in stoppage time, after being grabbed by Nkoulou in the box. Mika Seri, your Aiglon of the year, converted his second penalty of the season and brought a symbolic point to an OGC Nice that has thrilled us for 10 months (3-3, 90+4 minutes).
The stat: 2
Lyon is only the second team to score three goals against Nice. The other team was Monaco (3-0, on February 4).
Lucien Favre’s reaction
“It’s a good result, everyone is happy. It’s great to come and draw 3-3 here, in a magnificent stadium. We weren’t afraid, we were convinced we could do something. It was sometimes borderline, we struggled at times, but we pressed very high. That’s what we needed to do. There were good things and less good things, but it was encouraging, with the young players in the squad, the entries of Ricardo, Mahou, and Srarfi who contributed. Donis? He scores 2 goals, he takes advantage of his speed. We took great pleasure in working together. We experienced good moments. We dared, continued to play our game, starting from the goalkeeper. These are risks that can sometimes cost us, but overall it pays off. That’s why we always wanted to play. In the end, we have 78 points, 3rd place, it’s exceptional. We are very happy but also proud of our season. At the beginning of the season, it was a bit far-fetched but overall it’s well deserved. What we have to look at above all is that we finished ahead of Lyon, Marseille, or Bordeaux. It’s wonderful. Finishing behind Monaco and Paris is not illogical. We won the matches at the right time. We had a difficult period in January, until mid-February, but then we put together a good series with many victories, which secured our spot on the podium.”
Arnaud Souquet’s reaction
“In this match, there were mistakes on both sides. Perhaps controversial goals. But it’s good to draw 3-3 here with a rejuvenated team, against a good Lyon side. We might be a bit excessive with our principles, sometimes we should have made more judicious choices, especially me on Lyon’s second goal where I could have played longer. But we’ve played like this all year, we’re not going to change in the last match. We thank the fans who came; we wanted to at least give them that.”
