OGC Nice were beaten by Lyon despite a magnificent performance and an equaliser that was ruled out for offside at the end of injury time (2-1).

Le Gym deserved so much better. Despite taking the lead, playing attacking football, creating chance after chance and equalising deep into stoppage time, OGC Nice came away with nothing but defeat from their difficult trip to Lyon this Sunday, in the final game of Matchday 7 of Ligue 1. The eleven Aiglons players and their supporters had erupted with joy when Elye Wahi got ahead of his marker to divert a superb, pinpoint cross from Morgan Sanson into the opposition net in the 93rd minute. It was a wonderful moment of shared celebration, cruelly but correctly snatched away after the Nice striker was judged to have been marginally offside, a decision confirmed by referee François Letexier after reviewing the footage with VAR. 

Wahi, unfortunate hero 

On the verge of snatching salvation after a second half they had thoroughly dominated, the Red and Blacks were not rewarded as much as their efforts deserved. They had, after all, made the perfect start to the match, catching the Lyon defence out through Elye Wahi once again. Clinical in front of goal as he finished off a superb team move initiated down the left by Mohammed Amoura, the darling of the Nice faithful kept his composure to meet a delightful cross from Jonathan Clauss and score for the eighth time in his career at the Groupama Stadium (0–1, 18’).

Looking to hit their opponents on the counter-attack, Olivier Pantaloni’s men unfortunately failed to build on their early goal, allowing their opponents too much possession. After holding firm for a long spell, Le Gym’s defence eventually began to crack. Having first produced a save to deny Noah Nartey (27’), Yehvann Diouf was called into action again a few minutes later, this time to keep out an effort from Julien Duranville. Unfortunately, Pavel Šulc reacted quickest to pounce on the rebound and slot home from close range to equalise (1–1, 33’). Wahi and his teammates paid a heavy price for stepping off the pedal towards the end of the first half, as Tanner Tessmann put Lyon ahead with an unstoppable header past Diouf, meeting a perfect cross from Zachary Athekame (2–1, 36’).. 

A fatal lack of luck 

Shy in their challenges and sitting too deep, the Aiglons quickly put things right after the break. High pressing, intensity and technical quality in playing out from the back… Nice emerged from the dressing room a transformed side. Pinned back in their own half, Lyon had their goal frame to thank for keeping them ahead. First, the crossbar said “no” to Axel Witsel’s header (53’), before the left-hand post denied Wahi with an almost perfect header (74’). After striking the post, the ball miraculously bounced straight into Rémy Descamps’ hands, in a perfect illustration of Nice’s cruel lack of fortune…

Pantaloni’s men also created plenty of chances through open play, helped by Mohammed Amoura’s quick feet, Gauthier Hein’s technical ability and Elye Wahi’s physical power. Yet nothing went the Aiglons’ way: not Niels Nkounkou’s powerful strike, which Descamps kept out (55’), nor Hein’s first-time effort, which Moussa Niakhaté blocked just as it was heading towards an empty net (68’). Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for the final 20 minutes following Keito Nakamura’s dismissal for a high boot (70’), Nice could not find the back of the net. And when they finally did, fate conspired against them.

Despite the frustration and bitterness of a defeat that hardly reflected the tremendous effort they had put in, Wahi and his teammates will have learned a great deal about themselves on Sunday evening in the Rhône region. Yes, they are capable of outplaying one of the league’s big guns on their own turf. Yes, their improvement is clear to see from one match to the next. And yes, their attitude and fighting spirit will surely earn them points in the weeks ahead. Could that start against Brest on Friday 23 October, at the Stade Francis-Le Blé? We’ll have the answer in five days.

Hugo Rondet

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