Thanks to a late goal by Gonçalves, OGC Nice brought back a point from Corsica against Ajaccio, during the 22nd day of the Ligue 1 championship.
Third match in a week for the Aiglons who traveled yesterday to the Island of Beauty to face an Ajaccio team full of confidence, coming off four consecutive victories. Nice, after a home loss to Montpellier last Saturday (0-1 defeat) and especially a poor elimination in the semi-final against OM (2-1), had to respond against a Corsican team in great form and also fighting to stay up.
No shots on target in the first half
Although the first half was much more to the advantage of the locals, the quality of play was very poor. As proof, after 45 minutes of play, neither team managed to get a shot on target…! The closest chance came from Eduardo with a right-footed shot that skimmed the frame of David Ospina (23rd minute).
Upon returning from the locker room, the match opened up. Eduardo, once again, well-served by Tiberi, attempted a half-volley but it again flew just over (54th minute). The brand new winter recruit, involved in all the right moves, then took charge of taking the penalty conceded a few seconds earlier by Gomis following a foul on Sammaritano. The Brazilian showed no fear and surprised the Nice goalkeeper with a panenka. It’s the second time this season the Colombian keeper has been a “victim” of this move, after former Nice player Loïc Remy did the same during the league match against Marseille.
Gonçalves to the rescue
The Azuréens, as almost always this season, once again had to chase the score. The Aiglons managed better to keep possession and found some spaces, thanks in large part to the very good entry of Camel Meriem in place of Elliot Grandin (65th minute).
Ajaccio retreated and seemed to relinquish possession to the Niçois. In the 72nd minute, Guié Guié entered the area, positioned himself on his right foot but struck his shot too weakly to trouble the opposing keeper. By persisting (and with Ajaccio retreating), the Gym managed at the very end of the match to level the score thanks to a strike from the instep by Gonçalves, who had come on a few minutes earlier to replace Abriel.
A week to prepare for the clash against PSG
1-1 final score. A draw that doesn’t suit anyone in the standings but might boost the Niçois’ morale after an infernal week. Renato Civelli’s teammates provisionally gained two places in the standings, reaching 18th place, tied on points with Auxerre (19th) and Sochaux (20th) who still have to play tonight.
René Marsiglia’s players now have a week to prepare for the reception of PSG next weekend. The capital club easily dispatched Evian yesterday, winning 3-1.
