Huge. Historic. Following a magnificent victory at home to Nancy (3-1), OGC Nice have officially confirmed their place on the podium with five games still to go in the L1 2016/17 season. Beyond doubt and demonstrated by their love of the game.

The number of years is a superb indicator of the power of a performance. 41 years later after a blessed generation, the Gym take their place once again on the podium of the top flight. At the top of the country. Serene but as ambitious as ever, the Niçois succeeded in turning the game around for the umpteenth time this season.

“I am not going to ask them to focus more on the action than the reaction. As long as they react like that, it is very good.” Lucien Favre gave his views on the way his squad have started games before the trip to Lille. It proved almost prophetic. Like at the Pierre-Mauroy, and as has often been the case during the second half of this season, the Red and Blacks found themselves quickly trailing in the game against Nancy. And as they have done on each occasion, the Aiglons responded perfectly.

Starting the game with control but without extravagance, Nice were pinned back by a poor Nancy goal after 26 minutes. From a corner conceded by Cardinale (closely following the trajectory of Puyo’s free-kick), Eysseric lost the ball in the box and Cetout crossed as Dale threw himself at it at the back post. 

This goal was to be the wake up call for the Niçois. As if by magic, the extravagance came once the opponent had taken the lead. 10 minutes later, Koziello set-up Belhanda on the edge of the box. Starting as the number 10 in a 4-2-3-1, the Moroccan international stood strong in the tackle to set-up Le Bihan. Holding firm in the battle, MLB, starting for the first time in L1 for 19 months, didn’t disappoint and equalised with his right foot.

At ease with his movements, the former Le Havre forward made the most of his second touch in the box to hit the bullseye. The first, came from his movement to the front post and he saw it deflected over following the delivery from Dalbert (14').
 

Calm

Upon their return from the dressing room, the Gym were on the front foot very quickly. Deployed on the left-hand side, Valentin Eysseric worked well, using his speed and then struck with his left, a strike that was dealt with by Ndy Assembé (46'). Mika Seri sent a free-kick just wide too (49'). The pressure was mounting on the Nancy goal. More at home attacking than defending, Issiar Dia brought down Dalbert in the penalty area, Mika Seri took the responsibility and struck calmly down the middle of the goal (51').

The hardest part was done. Against a team who struggles to attack in numbers, the Azuréens managed the game on their terms. Not, however, without a few shaky moments, as Ait Benasser, set-up by Dale, missed the target from 12 yards out  (66').

Lucien Favre’s side didn’t manage to confirm the result straight away though. In a smart counterattack, they found themselves 3 against 1, Ricardo played in Le Bihan, whose shot was blocked by Ndy Assembé. Le Bihan, was lively and was perfectly supplied by an omnipresent Koziello whose recovery play was superb and his use of the ball was equally inspiring, but the forward just missed the target with 20 minutes to go.

The gap was to be stretched just a bit later. As Eysseric made another wonderful pass to play in Mika Seri, who officially validated the squad’s season with a great strike with his left.

A squad who can now look ahead without fear of what is behind. To, why not, create an epilogue to this already incredible season...

C.D.

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