Trailing 0-2 twenty minutes from time, the Gym managed to dig deep to come back. Thanks  to goals from Balotelli and Donis, the Niçois come out of the 29th game of the season with a point, but mixed with a large amount of frustration (2-2).

An unshakeable block of Caen players and some devastating counter-attacks: this was the scenario expected (and feared) during this past week. This became reality during the rather stressful, exciting, and frustrating evening. Set-up in a 5-3-2 shaped to hold on, Patrice Garande’s men left the ball to the hosts and camped in their own half - without sitting too deep - and injected pace into their counters. All of this was combined with heart and conviction. Sure of their game plan, they opened the scoring after 30 minutes, through a school boy move taking the Allianz by surprise: Karamoh with the pass, Adéoti put his “left and right” about, Bessat on-form and Santini there for the battle. Having already scored in their previous encounter this season, the Croat rose above Dante to head into the back of Cardi’s goal.

“We will need to be patient and find their flaws…” said Mika Seri during the week. The events of the evening would go on to show just how apt these words were. Just as it had been at the Michel-D'Ornano, Nice would need to mount a comeback. “Although it won’t be the same, because we are at home”, added the Ivorian, in an almost prophetic declaration.

Set-up in a 4-3-3 at kick-off, with only one change from the victorious 11 that started against Dijon (Marcel replacing Belhanda - suspended - as a second striker), the hosts lacked inspiration in the first-half, before showing the full depth of its character in the second. Lead by Valentin Eysseric often on-point with his actions…

During the first 45 minutes, the side didn’t find the pace needed to disrupt the Caen side. And whilst everybody was playing at the same tempo, a touch of class in the final ball condemned the Niçois to chase the game. It was the case in the 8th minute, as Valentin Eysseric played in Rémi Walter, who crossed to the far post for Souquet who couldn’t get enough on his volley. Or even with the effort from Eysseric that just missed the target at the end of the half. In the midst all of these moves, the number 13 also set-up Mario Balotelli, who let rip with a powerful half-volley, safely dealt with by Vercoutre (15'). Wasted efforts.

Even though they were rather timid in attack, the Red and Blacks were rarely troubled. In the first-half, only a header from Da Silva from a free-kick delivered by Ferret would put the Allianz on edge.

A RETURN TO MENTAL STRENGTH

Things would go from bad to worse upon the return from the dressing rooms, as the Gym pushing on searching for the equaliser would be punished by a Caen counter. Santini sent it long towards Karamoh, who chased onto the ball and looped the ball over the onrushing Cardinale, and then he beat his battle with Dante to prod the ball home. The task was getting more complicated. The evening was tainted even further when Wylan Cyprien, so effective since the start of the season, left the field injured just before the hour mark.

Lucien Favre threw on Mika Le Bihan to replace the former Lens captain, in an attempt to increase the pressure on the Caen side. Tassos Donis was also brought on to turn the game around. The tactical decisions of the former Gladbach boss proved successful once more. And the Allianz got to witness another intoxicating comeback.

After a great cross from Dalbert,  Souquet played-in Seri, alone on the edge of the box, where his shot would be blocked by the head of Yahia. From the corner that followed, Seri played it to  Dalbert, who found Dante at the back post. The Brazilian won the ball in the air and knocked it towards Balotelli, who made no mistake and reduced the lead (70’). Motivated by the goal, the Niçois pushed and pushed. It was their mental strength, once again, that made the difference.

Put under pressure in the box by Yahia, Eysseric fell to the floor. Mr Letexier, however, was unmoved. Then a buzzy Dalbert crossed and the opposition defence were unable to stop Tassos Donis, alone on the penalty spot, who equalised with his left (with some help from the two posts). The crowd erupted (77').

The Gym pushed and pushed during the last fifteen minutes to try to find the victory. Mika Le Bihan lifted his volley over the bar (84'). Then Mr Letexier missed a clear penalty following a corner from Seri was batted away by Da Silva.

If only... #OGCNSMC 2-2 pic.twitter.com/qXLsvrJj3q

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice_eng) 10 mars 2017

But the Gym weren’t able, on this occasion, to get the victory. 

When you don’t win, you need to know how to not lose. Whilst waiting for the result in the Paris game, Nice move up to 2nd, one point ahead of the men from the capital. With their ambitions still intact.

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