This Sunday evening, the Aiglons traveled to Lille’s pitch for the last day of the season. At the end of a thrilling scenario, the Niçois finished the season with a draw (2-2).
Finish this 2023/2024 season with a victory. Already assured of finishing in fifth place even before the start of this match, the Niçois had nothing left to play for mathematically. But OGC Nice wanted to end its season on a positive note, a few days after the defeat against PSG. To do so, they needed to beat LOSC, who were still in the running for direct qualification to the Champions League.
For his team composition, Francesco Farioli had to deal with several major absences (Dante, Bard, Sanson, and Perraud). The Italian coach visibly lined up a somewhat hybrid 4-3-3 formation. In the absence of the Nice captain, Jean-Clair Todibo wore the captain’s armband for this match.
A Solid Start by the Aiglons
The Niçois started the match better. With a high pace, the Aiglons troubled the Lille block. Logically, the Gym scored first at the 10th minute (0-1). Jérémie Boga succeeded in his run down the left side before providing a back cross into the box. Alone at the far post, Gaëtan Laborde had only to push the ball into the back of the net. After this goal, LOSC put their foot on the ball more.
The Niçois proceeded with counter-attacks. A crucial return on his line by Ismaily was needed to prevent Alexis Claude-Maurice from doubling the lead. The Gym caused problems with the surges from the untamable Jérémie Boga. OGC Nice returned to the locker room with this narrow advantage.
Crazy Scenario!
The Gym was well in the match. But after a scramble in the Nice penalty area, the ball fell to Haraldsson. The northern midfielder made no mistake and equalized (1-1). Despite this comeback, the Dogues couldn’t overturn the match, even if the Lillois dominated possession. It was finally from a corner that LOSC made the difference.
At the penalty spot, Benjamin André got the better of Pablo Rosario. The Lille captain’s header gave Marcin Bulka no chance (2-1). The Gym thought it had won a penalty after Daouda Traoré was grappled. But after reviewing with VAR, referee M.Delajod decided not to award a penalty in this situation. However, the Aiglons did not give up and sought the equalizer in the additional time. Tom Louchet placed a superb cross onto the head of Jordan Lotomba (2-2). The Niçois came back into the match. And it couldn’t end there! On one final Nice counter, Daouda Traoré executed a sublime lob to put the Gym ahead. But the goal was disallowed for offside.
Thus, OGC Nice finished with a draw (2-2) on the pitch of LOSC, for this last match of the 2023/2024 Ligue 1 season. The Gym ends this championship in 5th place. The Aiglons will play in the Europa League next season.