Thanks to their win at Lille (2-1) on Friday evening in a game that resembled that against Bordeaux last Sunday, Nice ensured they will finish in the top four at the very least despite their rivals having seven games still to play. It's just massive!!

After 19 years without playing in European competition, Nice had secured a place among the continental elite after a magical Nice-Saint-Etienne in the final home game of last season. The Nice fans are assured of having more European nights after Friday's game despite there still being two months left of this season. They now have 23 points more than Marseille in fifth.

Historically, the trip to Lille had been a fruitful one (9 matches without defeat), and the Rouge-et-Noir set out with the same XI that had beaten Bordeaux. The rarity of that fact illustrated the satisfaction of the coach after the win over Les Girondins but also the lack of options given the treatment room is full to bursting.

It wasn't the only similarity to that game. After a good start, Nice fell behind with their opponent's first half-chance. A corner headed into a central position and Amadou's shot was deflected by Ricardo to put Lille ahead against the run of play (14').

But just as against Bordeaux, Nice didn't seem to be worried and continued playing their game. The reward was immediate. Belhanda freed Eysseric down the left. He spied Balotelli's good run, and provided the perfect ball. The crisp, clean sidefoot volley from the nerveless Balotelli was too good for Enyeama. A 12th of the season for Super Mario, but the first outside of the Allianz Riviera (1-1, 17').

Balotelli provided options for the defence, who got involved themselves in threatening to score. Balotelli moved out to the left and found Ricardo, who had the ball taken off his toe as Nice threatened every time they went into their opponent's final third. Ricardo had another opportunity from Le Marchand's long ball, and his header very nearly beat Enyeama.

Nice were dominating, but couldn't score, and were warned of the dangers of that by Eder, who blocked Cardinale's clearance with the ball falling kindly for Lopes, who played it back to the UEFA EURO 2016 winner. He turned and fired a powerful shot goalwards, but 'Cardi' made amends for his mistake with a brilliant save (27').

With 70% possession in the first half, Nice seemed certain to score again, but didn't take their chances. Ricardo produced the perfect cut-back for Balotelli, but he didn't make a clean enough connection to beat Enyeama (44'). Lille thought they had escaped, but succumbed at the worst possible time. Just before the half-time whistle sounded, Balotelli popped up to finish a move that had been started by Seri and almost finished by Ricardo. His shot had been pushed out by Enyeama, but only as far as Super Mario, who tucked the ball home (1-2, 45')

solidarity and organisation

When the players came back out onto the Stade Pierre Mauroy pitch, Nice huddled around captain Dante, and the solidarity they showed then was mirrored over the next 45 minutes.

If Nice didn't suffer as they had done against Bordeaux, they weren't able to repeat their first-half performance. They didn't trouble Enyeama again until the 70th minute. Some passes that went astray even gave Lille opportunities that they didn't take. Cardinale did need to intervene once, however, stopping Xeka's effort from just inside the box (84').

The supporters must have been cursing the clock that didn't go quickly enough, but Lucien Favre again confirmed his ability to have his team hold on to a result in "money time". Dante's grinta, Seri's mastery and Dalbert's forays helped nullify Lille. It means Nice take second place ahead of the remaining games this weekend, and will hope to see their fans out in force for next Saturday's game against Nancy.

A.D.

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