For their last home game of the season at the Allianz Riviera, the Aiglons delighted their fans by wrapping up the match by halftime. However, this victory does not guarantee them a spot in the Europa League.
A “watermelon” shot from 30 meters, on the ground, after just 2 minutes. Brice Samba beaten, Super Mario was able to salute the red and black fans with his famous bow, like a leader. Like a guide.
The start of the match was perfect, the scenario favorable. The exchanges delightful.
Trailing and forced to try something, the Caennais could no longer content themselves with defending as a block. A superb opportunity for the Aiglons, who unfurled their football, as in their best days. Led by a Mika Seri on (very) good form, active, precise, and inventive.
In short, everything was in place during this 37th matchday. At least at the Allianz, since Rennes was victorious at the Parc des Princes at the same time.
At the Allianz, therefore, there was one or two-touch play, movement, a respected tempo. In a 4-3-3 formation, facing a diamond-shaped 4-4-2 made to be efficient in the axis, the Azuréens stretched their opponents. Lengthwise, widthwise, in depth. The match “quickly smelled good,” as they say in the jargon. A penalty scored strongly by Balotelli, annulled then (re)scored by the Italian – to the right of the goalkeeper, strong and low – in the 8th minute, reinforced this pleasant spring fragrance.
If, this season, they sometimes collapsed after a thunderous start, this time Dante’s teammates did not weaken. As if they wanted to thank their supporters for their unwavering support. With great bouts of short play, Nice made the Normans suffer. They created a ton of opportunities, crafting each of their movements (shots by Plea saved by Samba in the 14th and off target in the 38th; Dante’s header off target in the 42nd). A feast for the eyes. An appetizer compared to what unfolded shortly after the half-hour mark…
On the sideline at midfield, Allan Saint-Maximin executed a double contact and a roulette, then released the ball and continued his action. After a relay, the ball reached signore Balotelli, who put number 7 into orbit. Launched like an arrow, “ASM” finished the job with his left foot, before quickly joining his teammates to celebrate this 3rd goal in Ligue 1 (3-0, 38’).
A monstrous sprint by the same Saint-Maximin, superbly launched by Tameze, started the second half. Unfortunately, Samba blocked the cross shot from the former Bastiais (47’), but the tone was set. Benitez caught a header from Da Silva (53’) and, shortly after, Super Mario headed for the goal and was tripped by Diomandé, who received two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving his teammates a man down for half an hour. The Niçois dominance was total. The chances kept coming, all thwarted by Brice Samba until… a little sweetness from the Ivory Coast. On a free kick quickly played by Cyprien, Plea sent Mika Seri alone to the goal, with one touch. Often magical since his arrival in Nice, number 6 finished with a silky chip (4-0, 72’).
After a great save, Benitez conceded a goal by Kouakou (76’), in what was the only blemish of the red and black evening.
Following this superb performance in front of their fans, Nice will have to seek an achievement in Lyon to do what none of their predecessors has managed to do before them: qualify for a third consecutive European campaign.
At the end of the 37th matchday, the Gym remains 3 points behind Stade Rennais, victorious in Paris (2-0). And behind them, Lucien Favre’s group sees Bordeaux (who won 4-2 against Toulouse) coming back within 2 points – level with the Greens. Needless to say, the last matchday of the season will hold particular importance for the Gym and its competitors…
LUCIEN FAVRE’S REACTION
It went well for us. We’re leading 2-0 after 12 minutes. By scoring before halftime, the match was almost wrapped up. It’s just a shame we drew 1-1 at 11 against 10 in the second half. It would have been important to continue scoring for the goal difference; I regret that we didn’t score one or two more. We combined well. We moved forward faster. Sometimes the other results favor us; tonight was not one of those times. We will have to rely only on ourselves. We dropped quite a few silly points this season. It often comes down to very little, all matches are tight, and sometimes surprising results happen. The result in Paris doesn’t surprise me too much; they’ve won everything and have relaxed, as we’ve already seen against Guingamp and Amiens.
