The highest-ranked team in pot 2 during the draw, Real Sociedad were, on paper, superior to Nice, who came from pot 4. However, Franck Haise’s men had an excellent second half, without managing to crack the Spanish rearguard. Evan Guessand even missed a penalty, which goalkeeper Alex Remiro saved (53rd).
A depopulated environment
Haise made two changes to the starting eleven against Saint-Etienne, during the orgy of league goals on Friday (8-0). The first, by obligation since Mohamed-Ali Cho, former Real, injured his heel on Monday. The second as a precaution, since Tanguy Ndombélé has played a lot for a player who is coming off several complicated seasons.
The problem is that Morgan Sanson and Hicham Boudaoui are also injured at the moment. However, in midfield, young Tom Louchet had a lot of trouble getting into his game. And having a deficient midfield in the European Cup is unforgiving. Fortunately for him, Pablo Rosario is currently in top form.
Certainly, Nice generally controlled the first quarter of an hour. But without being really dangerous. Moreover, it was the Basques, with five at the back for the first time this season, to adapt to Nice’s 3-4-3 configuration, as much as to allow the young Jon Martin, 18, to live the first start of his career with his training club, who offered themselves the best opportunities.
Rosario helps get back on track
Fast in transition, Imanol Alguacil’s men were often incisive. If captain Mikel Oyarzabal, served by Brais Mendez, missed his control in front of Marcin Bulka (8th), his partner Ander Barrenetxea, himself, did not miss.
After recovering a bad pass from Badredine Bouanani for Rosario, he relied on Mendez, before opening the scoring with a splendid powerful strike with his right foot (0-1, 18th).
While Youssoufa Moukoko failed to take a tight cross from Bouanani, it took an exceptional comeback from Jonathan Clauss to prevent Oyarzabal from putting Real in a safe position (36th).
Faced with the experienced management of the Spaniards, the Niçois almost lost their nerves. But before the break, on a final pressure from the Aiglons, Aihen Munoz cleared into the feet of Rosario, who, after a control, equalized with a cross shot into the side netting (1-1, 45th).
Nice not realistic
Dante and his team returned reinvigorated after the break. Nice settled into the opposing camp. And the opportunities followed one after another. First, Evan Guessand missed the penalty obtained by Dante (53rd). The video assistance to the referee had, beforehand, called the referee of the match, the Dane Morten Krogh, to tell him that the Nice captain had been held by the jersey on a corner.
Then, after a series of dribbles, Bouanani shot wide (56th), and Guessand, over (59th). If Youssouf Ndayishimiye forced the Basque goalkeeper Alex Remiro to intervene again (84th), Victor Orakpo volleyed wide (85th).
Nice did not succeed in its enterprise, but must quickly remobilize. Because now, the Aiglons travel to Lens, Saturday for the 6th day of L1. Before continuing on October 3 in Rome against Lazio (2nd day of C3) and receiving Paris SG in L1, on October 6, to close this trying sequence.
