After the verbal jousts at the end of the season, summer escapades, or oligarchic conflicts, there was a latent depression among the lovers and defenders of the Red and Black house. Now, it seems time has returned to trust despite the caution displayed by the knowledgeable tifosi.
500 Nice supporters and a rediscovered synergy between players and fans
For the first matchday of the 2009-2010 Ligue 1 season, OGC Nice finally clinched a victory during an opening matchday, with Mahamane Traorรฉ and Loรฏc Rรฉmy sealing the fate of this encounter, scoring in each half, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Nice team. The most recent victory at the start of a season goes back to a win in Auxerre in 2003. More than just breaking a spell, a whole symbolism has been drawn in the stands of Geoffroy Guichard, with over 500 supporters having commenced the march with the “Verts” and against all. Whether in a convoy of individual cars or buses, supporters from the Brigade Sud, the ARN, the CDS, and a group recently created, called Nissa Supporters 06, made their voices heard in the bubbling atmosphere of the Stรฉphanois cauldron. With tifos throughout the match as well as chants supporting their team, a real frenzy took over the visitor’s section when Ben Saada’s ground shot, pushed back by Jannot, was victoriously slammed into the top corner by the young Malian prodigy, Mahamane Traorรฉ. And then there was the goal by the attacker of the Blues, Loรฏc Rรฉmy, after a run from the midfield circle finished with a finesse strike and a panicked Forez defense. A feint, a glance, a well-placed kick leading to an explosion of joy in the green stands, lifeless next to the erupting Red and Black volcano.
More than just 3 points, it’s the restored confidence at all levels and in all aspects. At the end of the match, the synergy reached its climax when the players, having come to greet their fans who traveled in large numbers, were rewarded with chants glorifying each of them. A little cooldown and the scene could be revisited, identical on the now sparse Geoffroy Guichard stadium. Chants continued all the way from the journey back to their pillows.
Captain and supporter, Olivier Echouafni, like his coach, made it a point to “congratulate all the supporters for their support throughout the match. I think they recognized themselves in tonight’s Gym, with all the values that make it strong.” A happy Chouf, a thrilled Don – what about those who had braved the snow last year to find themselves in the same place for the same victory. A beautiful year is beginning before Antonetti’s return to his former lands and the arrival of Stade Rennais in the Ray stadium.
Olivier Fazio
