Everyone was waiting…for the Parisians. As usual, in a manner of speaking, where only the big engines make the headlines, media-wise. But, as customary, OGC Nice went to challenge PSG at their home, ultimately defeating them in the final minutes.
After the numerous pre-match comments predicting the entire national media’s wager on a Parisian revival after their 4-1 victory at Sochaux, Nice again made waves by being where no one expected them. In the winner’s seat against a top team of the Ligue 1 championship. Yet, nothing was easy for Apam’s teammates, captain for a Parisian night set at a frenzied pace. In front of 38,000 spectators, Luyindula fired the first shot in the 3rd minute of play, with an off-target strike from 20 meters. The rhythm was already set. A shot from Hellebuyck went wide (4th), with Giuly blocked by Paisley (5th), a header off by Mabiala (10th), and a header from Chantôme easily caught by Ospina. Tensions began to rise without precision at the end.
It was a warm-up lap that lasted 25 minutes before the observation round concluded with a finely executed Nice action. The relentless David Hellebuyck attempted to pass a ball to Mamadou Bagayoko, which was deflected by Armand, who inadvertently offered a golden opportunity to Loïc Rémy, who delivered a splendid 25-meter strike, mid-top corner, diverted by Grégory Coupet for a corner (32nd). A balanced match, the battle raged in midfield without either formation being able to trouble the opposing keeper. The 44th minute had to wait and see a festival from Rémy, the French international dribbling three players before shooting at the goal. Coupet intervened. A final chance before the break and to see Gym confirm where they had erred, regained confidence for a style of play with a certain soul. There were 45 minutes left to continue this momentum.
Back in the arena, the 22 players seemed determined to conclude a match that had dragged on too long with a scoreless draw. On the Parisian side, attempts were made but it didn’t factor in a well-organized and united Nice defense. In the 54th minute, luck added to the visitors’ list of values when Jallet, served by Giuly, crossed from the right for Erding, the Turkish forward heading the ball in a demanding position that left David Ospina rooted, but the Colombian was saved by his post! Nice had narrowly avoided falling behind, but that was without considering the pride of Anthony Mounier, who, at the front of the attack, zigzagged through Paris’s defensive lines and faced Coupet alone. A duel won by the Parisian, who deflected the ball to Bagayoko, who then skewed his shot wide (56th).
Chances on either side, tension, little stoppage time, the pursuit of victory was truly the mantra on a night where beautiful football was on display. PSG pushed and after a strike from the lively Giuly, deflected by Ospina (60th), the home side again hit the woodwork, once more through Ludovic Giuly who saw his ball, controlled with the chest and volleyed, crash against the crossbar after a good cross from Erding (67th). OGC Nice could very well pray to Saint Rita. At the 72nd mark, a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Laghet was in order when, at the 72nd minute, Sessegnon, 30 meters out, unleashed a terrible strike…onto the crossbar of the Nice keeper. It was too much for Antoine Kombouaré’s men, who suddenly eased the pressure. As if to say that nothing would go as planned tonight.
Gym, on the other hand, believed more than ever in their lucky star, and on a counter-attack that saw Anthony Mounier speed up on his left, accelerate, and cross to the far post, Loïc Rémy, free from any marking, placed a header that lobbed over Coupet, who stood static on his line (88th). 1-0 for NICE!!!!!! The Nice fans in the stands were euphoric, while the Parisian coach remained livid, the stadium buzzing despite a final opportunity for Paris SG and a shot from Jallet narrowly wide. The Nice players took a breath of relief even if, in terms of clear-cut chances, they equalled a Paris that marked the discussions by this succession of woodwork strikes. A game that tipped in favor of the Côte d’Azur and saw a joyful image conclude the evening. With Rémy’s initiative, indeed, several Gym players broke into a lucky dance previously practiced against Le Mans, the “Chilili.” A Cape Verdean dance started in the middle of the field, a true symbol of the well-being felt by these players. A rediscovered mentality, a newly recreated state of mind here in Nice. The joy of living together, the naivety of winning together, the happiness of conquering together.
Photos Alex OGCNice.com
