At the end of a tense and tight affair, OGC Nice recorded a slender 1-0 victory over Salzburg, that sees the Rouge et Noir right back into the qualification race.

A must-win. The aim was simple on Matchday 3 of the Europa League: Le Gym couldn’t afford to lose and Le Gym didn’t lose! Buoyed by the 1,260-strong travelling contingent, Les Aiglons met the challenge head on. But it was anything but simple against a home side in an identical situation, and one that started the match with an intense pressing game. 'We must play our own game,' echoed Lucien Favre and Paul Baysse before the match.

Success would also come on the back of commitment and desire; two of the qualities that Alassane Plea possesses in abundance. Up for the challenge, the No.14 showed the way forward for the Ligue 1 leaders. In the 12th minute, he looked to win back possession, stole the ball from Paulo Miranda and accelerated towards goal, before clinically slotting the ball between the legs of Walke. Le Gym was in front. A mobile and physical target man, Plea allowed Le Gym to advance out of defence, while also proving a nightmare for the opposition backline with his runs in behind (like on the quarter-hour when he over-hit his lob from Dalbert’s throw-in) before he provided the pass for a great chance for Rémi Walter late in the first half.

Those three moments were the main chances for the away side in the opening 45 minutes. Playing their now traditional 3-5-2 formation, with a midfield trio comprising Koziello, Bodmer and Walter, with Eysseric as playmaker, Nice needed to defend stoutly to defend their advantage. Cardinale turned a Soriano volley onto his post before claiming the ball. Captain Baysse then produced a telling challenge to deny Gulbransen a shooting opportunity (20’). And when it wasn’t putting a foot or a leg in front of the ball, Nice benefitted from a profligate home side, like when Lainer side-footed wide on the half-hour.

Nice weather the storm

While Le Gym didn’t produce their best performance of the season, they certainly improved as the minutes past. They improved as the stakes climbed higher and the tension mounted. The away side was focused and disciplined to see out the first half, and the same went for start of the second. Nice looked every bit the part, despite a header over from Laimer and a powerful effort from Rzatkowski, just before the hour mark, saved by the excellent Cardinale.

The irrepressible Plea has the chance to make the game safe with a solo run, only to be denied by Walke (59’), and had another three chances in the final ten minutes, as Salzburg threw everything into attack.

But Les Aiglons, led by their impermeable three-man central defence stood tall. Lucien Favre introduced Seri, Cyprien and Belhanda with 20 minutes left and switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation. It paid dividends immediately as Les Aiglons grew in confidence and control and held on to record an important victory.

The win ensures Le Gym stay in the race for a place in the knockout stages and close to within three points of Krasnodar after the Russian’s were beaten by Schalke in the group’s other game on Thursday.

C.D.

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