On the back foot after a poor start, a much-changed OGC Nice side fell in Bordeaux and bid au revoir to the Coupe de la Ligue while turning their attentions to the two league matches that await before Christmas.

Less than 72 hours after their valiant draw at the Parc des Princes, the Aiglons were back in action, at the Matmut Atlantique in Bordeaux, for their entry into competition in the Coupe de la Ligue, Ligue 1's European representatives having been exempted from the round of 32.

While the Rouge et Noir entered the competition later than most, they were also behind the pace in this match, faced with an incisive Bordeaux side who were hell-bent on redeeming themselves after last Saturday's mauling at the hands of Monaco (0-4).

Jocelyn Gourvennec's men made the break with their first two chances, making the most of some generous and out-of-kilter defending from Nice's experimental back-line. On the quarter-hour mark, captain Jaroslav Plasil ghosted in between Dante and Le Marchand and, well played in by Malcom, beat Benitez with a delicate touch. Souquet pedalled back to clear off the line but, after consulting with  the assistant referee, Mr. Letexier validated the goal. Had the whole ball crossed the line? We'll never know - goal-line technology is not in use in the Coupe de la Ligue…

Barely five minutes later, it was Jérémy Ménez who tore off on a jinking run down the left flank. His shot was repelled by Benitez… but only as far as Laborde, who had followed up to easily double the lead.

Le Gym, who had returned to a 3-5-2 formation - this time with Balotelli and Plea up front - enjoyed some good fortune as they scored to get back into the match. First up, Balotelli saw his shot snaffled up by Prior (26'). Ten minutes later, the Italian striker, with his back to goal, slid the ball to Plea in the area. The Aiglons' top scorer somehow picked a path among three defenders and beat Prior with a superb touch. The match was back on in earnest!

As the second half kicked off, Nice monopolised the ball but got punished with a counter-attack that bore a close resemblance to Bordeaux's second goal. Jérémy Ménez took a shot, Benitez parried and, once again, Gaëtan Laborde, unmarked in the area, tapped home to restore his side's two-goal lead. 

It was a super-effective display from the Girondins, but they never managed to kill the match off. Balotelli's header was blocked and Le Marchand's flew over, but Nice maintained the pressure on Prior's goal. Struggling to find solutions in open play, Nice finally managed to pull another goal back, from the penalty spot. Donis (who had replaced Plea) was brought down by Lewczuk in the area and Super Mario easily wrong-footed the Bordeaux 'keeper with ten minutes left to play. That was enough time in which to give the home side a good scare, even though they escaped by the skin of their teeth after Balotelli, in space on the right-hand side of the area, cut the ball back for Donis, who saw his shot cleared off the line by a Pallois who had tracked back to help his 'keeper! This excellent opportunity to equalise was the last of the match for Le Gym, who crashed out of the Coupe de la Ligue at the first hurdle.  

Now all the attention goes to the league, with Dijon at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday (15:00) before a return to Bordeaux - to take revenge - next Wendesday.

A.D.

 

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