Nice did not exist this Thursday, during the second day of the Europa League, on the soggy pitch of Lazio Rome.
Cold shower for Nice. Just shower. Snagged by Real Sociedad (1-1) last week, the Aiglons challenged Lazio in Rome this Thursday for the second day of the Europa League. A trip from which they returned empty-handed (4-1), at the end of a match played on an increasingly soggy pitch. “The pitch wasn’t good for either team, but it’s a lot easier when you’re leadingcursed Dante after the game, on Canal+. On this kind of terrain, you have to play long, jump the lines. We wanted to play but it was complicated. Despite the score, we fought well, but there are days like that… They didn’t have much but they were realistic, us, less… There are things to correct, but if we cannot criticize our players on the state of mind».
In difficulty at the start, Nice was first saved by its uprights (12th, 14th) before giving in, following a heavy strike from Pedro following a corner (1-0, 20th). Like this on-target shot from Bouanani (30th), the Gym got its head out of the water in the game. All that was missing was the goals and the realism. And Lazio didn’t lack that: Ndayishimiye missed his intervention and Pedro was able to put Castellanos – who celebrated his 26th birthday on Thursday – into orbit (2-0, 35th). Cruel for Nice, who nevertheless continued to play, to push. And was finally rewarded after a beautiful one-two between Moukoko and Boga (2-1, 41st).
At the limit of the passable
Alas, it was not the evening for Frank Haise’s men, trapped on a deep ball for Castellanos, who mystified Rosario before finding the opposite corner from Bulka (3-1, 53rd). In pouring rain, the Gym took on water, literally and figuratively, with Castellanos caught in the area by Bulka. Zaccagni was quick to increase the score (4-1, 67th). In an area on the verge of passable, Guessand, who entered the game, saw Mandas thwart his plans in an unorthodox but effective manner, with Pellegrini clearing just in front of Moukoko (72nd). Which Pellegrini exulted as if he had just won the World Cup. Symbol of this combative Lazio and, for one evening, untouchable for the helpless people of Nice. Another skirmish signed by Moukoko (78th), but the Riviera’s hopes had vanished a long time ago (4-1 final score).
Next meeting with Europe for Nice? November 7, against the Dutch from Twente. Before that, they will host Paris on Sunday (8:45 p.m.) then Monaco on October 27, after the international break. Time to sort out the issues? “The score is heavy, but we must keep our heads high. Despite the four goals conceded, there were still some good things. It’s clear that small details still need to be resolved. We grow in defeat. You have to look in the mirror and do the right analysis. We are in the right state of mind, but in terms of accuracy, the desire to hurt in order to miss, we are still missing things. And we also have to be more solid behind”insists Dante. Much more.
