This Sunday at 3 PM, as part of the 14th day of Ligue 1, OGC Nice hosted Brest with the opportunity to definitively kickstart their season. Mission accomplished for the Gym, who could have faltered but ultimately won by the smallest margin.
After their draw in Cologne, which signified qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League, the Gym had to continue on their home field against a team near the bottom of the standings. However, it was the Brest team who started the match better, with a shot hitting the bar by Camara (2nd minute).
The Nice team quickly responded by putting Bizot to work, first with Lemina striking from outside the box (5th minute), then with a cross from Pepe (7th minute).
After more than 20 minutes without clear opportunities, Laborde revitalized the match by heading in a beautiful cross from Lotomba. The recruit from Rennes found the post of the Dutch goalkeeper (26th minute).
Even though the Gym’s defense was solid, the Nice possession phases were completely harmless and full of misunderstandings. Ultimately, it was even SB29 who finished the half stronger with a new shot from Camara forcing Schmeichel to make a save (43rd minute).
Right at the start of the second half, Nice appeared in a completely different light. First, Youcef Atal, as usual, managed to break through the opposing defense to take a shot. It was narrowly saved, but it was a close call for the opening goal (47th minute).
Led by the Algerian international and Sofiane Diop, who had just replaced Brahimi, the Aiglons became more pressing in the Brest area. Aaron Ramsey tried a volley from a poorly cleared ball without finding the target (51st minute).
This Azurean dominance eventually culminated in the only goal of the match, coming from a long shot by Diop, luckily deflected by Laborde. 1-0 for OGC Nice at the 55th minute!
A few minutes later, Mahdi Camara, Brest’s most threatening player since the start, took a shot without finding the target.
Just after the hour mark, Aaron Ramsey had a second opportunity in this match. The Welshman aimed his header, but Bizot saved his team once again (64th minute).
This missed opportunity could have been costly for the Gym, who endured two big scares in their area in the following minutes. Only thanks to Lotomba and Schmeichel, former Aiglon Franck Honorat did not become decisive.
After these two good chances for Brest, Nice managed to hold off the visitors’ attack well. A counterattack led by Cardona might have resulted in an equalizer, but Schmeichel once again perfectly read the play.
Without pushing too hard for a second goal, Boudaoui (86th minute) and then Diop (90+1) could have sealed the Nice victory, but the Gym successfully followed up with this home victory.
With this victory that comes three days after Cologne, Nice confirms their excellent week. Initially ineffective in the first half, the Nice team returned from the break transformed. With Atal, Ramsey, Laborde, and Diop, the Gym created a powerful period they managed to capitalize on. Even though Schmeichel and his defense faced a few chances, the Dane and his teammates demonstrated solidity.
It’s the second home win in the championship for Nice this season, temporarily moving them to 9th place, 5 points away from 6th.
