Thanks to two goals from the central defensive duo, OGC Nice started the season in the best possible way. A deserved victory, but one that was so nearly spoilt by the Amiens equaliser at the end of the game, that was until Dante’s victorious header in the final minute of added time. An even better way to do it.

Lyon had demonstrated it the previous evening as they beat Monaco at the Louis II. Nice confirmed it the day after at the Allianz Riviera. A pre-season cannot be judged by the results, which at times are brutal ones, during the summer friendlies.

Within an hour of the heavy defeat in Wolfsburg (8-1), Patrick Vieira had reassured the fans, promising that his side would be ready upon its return to the Allianz Riviera for their first game of the season,

On Saturday evening, in the mugginess of an August evening, his players produced a convincing display in a first half filled with 8 shots (Amiens had 2) and a clear dominance of the encounter.

Cyprien (11’) and Ganago (18’) had early chances, first from distance, before Tameze won the ball high up the pitch and Myziane called Gurtner into action (25’).

Gnahoré’s dismissal for a series of bad fouls (17’ and 27’) only served to reiterate the feeling that Amiens were close to cracking.

There was just that little something that was missing. And it came from one of Patrick Vieira’s Nice-born players. With a slight flick of the foot to connect with Le Bihan’s strong effort at goal, Christophe Hérelle left the Amiens keeper with absolutely no chance (1-0, 32’).

The desire to kick on and limit the opposition’s possession could be felt at half-time, with the Nice defence, led by the captain, and a solid midfield only allowing a couple of half-chances for Luka Elsner’s side.

With a small lead behind them, but with their arms, legs and the rest of their focus on the way they were playing, Les Aiglons continued to manage the game in the second half.

With a little less gas, and despite the quick changes that saw Walter and Myziane making way for Sylvestre and Srarfi (53’), Le Gym attacked less, and didn’t take advantage of their numerical advantage.

Starting for the first time, Clementia wasn’t troubled until the opposition’s equaliser. But this still came about, and despite it being entirely avoidable, after a poor clearance and then losing the ball in the danger zone. Akolo finished the job smartly (1-1, 80’).

With everything needing to be redone, it came down to the heads of the players. And Dante’s head was particularly important. A victorious header from the Brazilian to connect with a corner taken by Cyprien from the very final chance of the game (2-1, 90+5’). We will leave you to imagine the rest…

L.O.

Next up…

Before hosting Marseille (28 August), Les Aiglons will head to Nîmes (who travel to the Parc des Prince this Sunday evening) on Saturday 17 at 8pm. 

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