Tied by Toulouse after leading in the score, the Eagles might regret not having converted their chances, particularly around game time. Nice leaves with one point but also with regrets…
Unveiling a 3-4-3 formation, with one less midfielder, adding Srarfi and Myziane dropping back, Patrick Vieira made a bold choice at the kickoff. The choice paid off after 10 minutes. With a reshaped midfield and, as always, three forwards, the Eagles found their stride before the 15th minute and then began to impose their style on the match. This style was expressed through winning duels, playing a full-field press, and a determination to defend by advancing. Toulouse couldn’t get a pass out, searched for solutions, and then started faltering, overwhelmed by the movements of a compact block.
A WONDERFUL FIRST HALF
This pressing strength was the decisive point of the first act. It allowed the Nice team to gain confidence, recover many balls, start playing, and ultimately open the scoring, following a failed press by… the Violets. We were in the 29th minute when Walter Benitez made a dangerous clearance straight up the middle, Hérelle scrambled to tackle the ball and fend off the danger, Lees-Melou imitated the center-back by winning a crucial duel within his 25 meters, before passing to Myziane. Number 26 gained ground through the middle, sped into the final 30 meters, then served Bassem Srarfi. The Tunisian repeated last season’s feat, sliding the ball between Reynet’s legs from an impossible angle to open the scoring and flex some muscles (0-1, 29’).
The Red and Black controlled until halftime, carried by an imperial Hérelle and a diligent-and-precise Lees-Melou in his decisions. Without ever shaking – except for a few set pieces in the first 10 minutes -, maintaining the lead on the scoreboard with some opportunities on their side (acceleration and shot by Saint-Maximin caught by Reynet in the 16th min.; a pure but off-target volley from Atal in the 20th; a breakout run but missed shot by Srarfi in the 33rd).
THEY WERE ALREADY SEEING THEMSELVES…
They entered with the same intentions in the final 45 minutes but were stung by Dossevi’s equalizer, against the run of play, who perfectly completed a cross from Manu Garcia (1-1, 54’), just moments after a shot by Lees-Melou went over from 20 meters out.
Three minutes after the equalizer, the Eagles missed a huge opportunity. The real turning point of this 9th matchday, we’re tempted to write. Capturing a backward header, Saint-Maximin raced to goal, bypassed Reynet but didn’t finish in the empty goal (due to a slightly off-center position), passed to Srarfi, who relayed to Myziane. The former Lyon player miscontrolled, and Gym missed the chance.
Then, the Eagles continued to press forward. Starting from the left, Coly cut inside and tried his luck with his right, unsuccessfully (69’). Dossevi responded to the Senegalese by missing the target as well (71’).
Patrick Vieira sent in Rémi Walter to add more density in the heart of the game and allow Lees-Melou to move forward a notch. Gym dominated territorially but couldn’t see the match through to the end.
They thus enter the international break with the satisfaction of having delivered a good performance, but regrets that it didn’t find its just reward.
PATRICK VIEIRA’S REACTION
“It’s a big disappointment tonight because I think we were the better team. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score that second goal that would have put us safe. We played a serious match, we were disciplined, tried to control the match, and leaving here with a point, it’s insufficient for us.”
DANTE’S REACTION
“I think we were the better team on the pitch. We created quite a few chances. There are still things to fix because a match like that, we have to win. The 2-1 action? It’s a shame, but I won’t blame my teammates; we’ll do our self-criticism together.”
