Le Gym qualified for the last 16 of the Coupe de France by beating Bordeaux 2-3 at the Matmut Atlantique. Guessand and Sanson, who scored twice, were the scorers of the day for Nice.

The adventure continues! OGC Nice booked their place in the last 16 of the Coupe de France by beating Bordeaux 2-3 at the Matmut Atlantique. Despite conceding two goals, the Aiglons put in a fine display and had all the ingredients needed to qualify: play, chances, goals, movement, desire...

At kick-off, Bulka, Bard, Lotomba, Dante (cap.) Louchet, Todibo, Cho, Rosario, Guessand, Laborde and Sanson made up Nice's starting line-up. Mohamed-Ali Cho made his first start for Nice.

Le Gym showed their attacking intent right from the start, pressing well, playing well and getting in behind. The Rouge et Noir had the first chance of the game. After Laborde won the ball back high up the pitch, Sanson set up Guessand in the box, and the striker struck from close range, only for Johnsson to turn the ball away for a corner (7').

The Bordeaux goalkeeper was put to the test but did not make it easy for the Aiglons, saving all their attempts. Set up by Bard on the edge of the area, Laborde cut inside and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that Johnsson turned away for a corner. Seconds later, from a corner on the right, Dante's volley was saved again by Johnsson. The ball came back to the Brazilian, who hit the target with his first touch, but Nsimba turned the ball away for a corner (14').

LE GYM STOPPED BY JOHNSSON BEFORE FINDING THE BREAKTHROUGH

Francesco Farioli's players were pushing forward and unsettling Bordeaux with a lot of movement. Shortly after the quarter-hour mark, Evann Guessand controlled the ball, turned and then unleashed a right-footed shot that cannoned off the crossbar (18'). Despite dominating, Nice were warned by Bordeaux's attacks. As usual, the unstoppable Bułka showed his authority, turning away Vipotnik's acrobatic overhead kick for a corner (18'), then brilliantly saving Vipotnik's header and Elis's close-range shot (23').

The first half was wide open with chances at both ends, but it was Le Gym who broke the deadlock. After Laborde's free-kick was parried by Johnsson, Sanson crossed from the edge of the area. Cho passed to Guessand at the far post, who was first blocked by Barbet but then struck with his left foot to open the scoring for Le Gym (0-1, 35'). The Niçois looked to have really taken control of the match after that first goal and went into the break with the lead.

NICE TAKE ADVANTAGE THROUGH SANSON

The Aiglons got off to the best possible start in the second half. The referee pointed to the spot after Nsimba fouled Cho in the box. Morgan Sanson stepped up, made no mistake and converted with his right foot (0-2, 47'). Never satisfied, Nice almost tripled their lead. After a one-two between Sanson and Cho in a tight space, the latter tried a curling shot from just inside the area that struck Johnsson's left-hand post (54').

But just as Farioli's team were taking control of the game, Livolant reduced the deficit with a fine volley, getting on the end of Elis's cross (1-2, 59'). Le Gym responded immediately. Played in by Lotomba, Sanson took advantage of some clumsy defending in the Bordeaux box to restore the two-goal-lead on the hour mark (1-3, 60'). Dante's team-mates were in control of the match and Farioli decided to bring on some fresh legs. Thuram, Bouanani and Ndayishimiye came on in place of Cho, Laborde and Todibo (who was cautioned in the first half).

Even if the Niçois were never really in danger, Weissbeck gave Bordeaux hope in the final quarter of an hour with a powerful strike (2-3, 76'). Le Gym were now just one goal ahead. Guessand came close to scoring the fourth just after, but Johnsson turned the ball away for a corner (77'). Bordeaux pushed forward to equalise in the dying moments of the game against a determined Nice defence. The scoreline remained unchanged to send Le Gym through the last 16.

NEXT GAME AGAINST METZ

OGC Nice host Metz at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday 27 January for Matchday 19 in Ligue 1 at 5pm.