Sporting Club de Bastia lost 0 – 1 on home soil last night against OGC Nice, after missing a penalty that could have changed everything.
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Of course, the disappointment is significant for the Bastiais, who were unable to cross the threshold of the round of 16 of the French Cup, in this Mediterranean derby highly anticipated by the supporters.
But Benoït Tavenot's men have nothing to be ashamed of for their performance.
From the start, Sporting displayed unfailing motivation and a conquering spirit. There is no question of closing the game and waiting for a gap to open up in the defense of the 4th in Ligue 1.
There are not a plethora of opportunities, but when they present themselves, the Bastiais do not hesitate to seize them, like Christophe Vincent in the 8th, or Ariss shortly before the half-hour mark. Opposite, the Niçois do not lose their composure, but there is room for qualification, no doubt.
So, when, a few minutes before half-time, Boutrah was stopped by Mendy in the area, Furiani got a little more excited. But the Bastia attacker, who tries to take justice into his own hands, finds Dupé confronting him. The Nice goalkeeper repels the shot, and the two teams return to the locker room with a goalless draw.
The people of Nice received the message. At the start of the second period, they appeared more dominant, sharper. And little by little, they are getting closer to the goal of Fabri, who replaced Placide for this cup match. Nothing that really shook Armand Cesari, until this combination between Guessand and Cho, in the 61st, which allowed the latter to open the scoring (0 – 1).
Tramoni and his teammates did not do poorly against Nice's rivals.
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© PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA / AFP
Not enough to knock out the Bastiais. Tavenot brings in Tramoni and Maggiotti, and the Blues continue to wet the jersey, convinced that there is room to turn the situation around.
Until this tap from Dupé at the end of the match, on a beautiful free kick from Maggiotti under the crossbar, which could have changed everything.
“It was tough tonight, there was a difference in level, technical, athletic, but we gave what we had to give, in any case”said Benoît Tavenot at the final whistle. And considering the performance of its players, the pill is bitter: “I'm not well, this evening, I'm very disappointed, really…”
The disappointment can be understood, but beyond the scoreboard, one thing is certain: in light of the performances delivered by the SCB at the start of the year, the Sporting of 2025 is not the Sporting of 2024.
