Victorious in the return leg of the playoff (4-1), this Friday at the Allianz Riviera, OGC Nice retains its place in the elite of French football. After a sluggish start, but a courageous and determined second half, the Eagles earned, with merit, the right to remain in Ligue 1.
OGC Nice plays for its survival in an empty stadium! It’s hard to imagine a worse context for the Eagles before taking on the return leg of this playoff against AS Saint-Étienne. After the draw in the first leg (0-0), Tuesday evening, the Nice players have no choice: they must win at the Allianz Riviera to remain in Ligue 1. Behind closed doors, the red and black supporters had to follow the match from their television screens.
On the team sheet, Claude Puel could count on the return of Elye Wahi, suspended at Geoffroy-Guichard. Starting the Ivorian international could only do good for the Gym, in great difficulty in its attacking sector. Djibril Coulibaly, Tom Louchet and especially Dante – who was playing his last match of his career tonight – were also recalled by the Eagles’ coach. There was at stake, pressure, and yet the teammates of Antoine Mendy didn’t seem any more disturbed than usual. The Eagles lacked the intensity and desire needed for this kind of match. Nice was playing to scare itself. In this kind of situation, the teammates of Juma Bah are at the top of the standings.
A sluggish start for OGC Nice
On a good cross, Irvin Cardona beat Kojo Oppong and thought he had opened the scoring. Fortunately for Nice, the goal was disallowed by VAR, thanks to the position of Lucas Stassin, offside in the situation and influencing the action. A small detail that worked in favor of the red and blacks. OGC Nice took time to get into their match.
Gradually, the Azur club also tried to do more in the final stages. Wahi found the post in his path, when Clauss was stopped by a Green defender. The intensity of the match struggled to pick up, almost a carbon copy of the first leg. The Eagles finished better than they started. Dante forced Larsonneur into an almost heroic save. The Saint-Étienne goalkeeper was also calm against Mendy’s attempt that followed.
Just before the break, OGC Nice also lost Melvin Bard and Mohamed Ali-Cho to injury. The fullback was injured in the knee area after a heavy contact that had (once again) escaped VAR’s attention. The Gym returned from the dressing room with better intentions. However, the Eagles remained on edge defensively, like this completely missed save by Diouf that sent shivers down the red and black defense. The Gym finally broke the deadlock after a long throw-in (1-0, 62′). The ball fell to Jonathan Clauss, who was quick to react, sending the ball into the back of the net with a beautiful half-volley. Nice finally took the lead.
The Eagles dominate in the second half
We could finally see Nice players relaxed, without pressure on their shoulders. Shortly after, Boudache and then Wahi came close to doubling the lead. Each time, Larsonneur pulled out the big guns to keep Saint-Étienne in the match. And yet, a turn of events was about to swing the match. Mendy was penalized for a controversial handball in his penalty area after reviewing the images (1-1, 79′). A setback for the Gym? Not at all!
Claude Puel’s men quickly regained the lead (2-1, 82′). Following good team movement, Kail Boudache restored the advantage for his side with a fine strike into the far corner. OGC Nice takes control of this playoff and doesn’t plunge into doubt. Sofiane Diop and the Eagles didn’t have time to hesitate. The Gym even put an end to all suspense late in the match. As a symbol, Elye Wahi closed the debate with a superb brace (3-1, 87’/4-1, 90′). A symbolic brace to conclude his six months of dreams on the Côte d’Azur. If his Nice adventure seems to be coming to an end, everyone hopes to see him surely continue this fine collaboration in Nice’s colors.
After this victory, OGC Nice has earned the right to remain in Ligue 1. The Eagles thus avoid yet another disappointment this year. Now it’s time for vacation. But the Gym’s workload promises to be heavy and eventful this summer. Work will need to start quickly, for fear of reliving another difficult season in a few months.
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