In a multi-speed match, LOSC was finally held in check at the very last second in Nice (2-2)this Sunday at the Allianz Riviera. Inconsistent over the duration of the meeting but convincing overall, the Mastiffs narrowly missed placing themselves on the podium.
LOSC starts and ends better
Nothing seemed to be able to stop them, until this 96th minute synonymous with regrets after a goal conceded at the last second, in an almost mimicry of Lyon last week. However, although they may have arrived at the end of the morning after being stuck in Lille on Saturday evening, the Mastiffs were the most awake at the start of the afternoon, in Nice. At the end of a controlled first twenty minutes, notably with stifling counter-pressing and a few situations (3′, 20′), LOSC already broke the deadlock through Matias Fernandez. The Belgian celebrated his first start in Ligue 1 in the best possible way by outpacing everyone and then mystifying Marcin Bulka at the near post (0-1, 17′). Nice, borrowed after playing Thursday in the Europa League, was gradually getting back on track.
Shy at the start of the match (4′), the Aiglons caused increasingly strong shivers to run through the Lille area (28′, 40′), stumbling in particular on an exceptional return from Aïssa Mandi (29′). Attacks which multiplied upon returning from the locker room (51′, 53′) and which found a conclusion with Sofiane Diot on a model action finished at point blank range (1-1, 56′). Jostled since the break and logically rejoined, LOSC tried to rediscover the good feelings at the start of the match. After a tricky but well-read free kick from Edon Zhegrova (59′), the insatiable Fernandez once again caused havoc in the Nice defense, serving Benjamin André who, after hitting the post, offered the ball to Mitchel Bakker ( 1-2, 66′).
Stunned, Nice seemed less dashing and appeared less dangerous, with the exception of this half-volley from Ali Abdi (84′), and came up against a vigilant Lucas Chevalier (64′, 77′, 90+1′). LOSC tried to push the Aiglons and close the match, but either Jonathan David stumbled on Bulka (74′), or Gabriel Gudmundsson (81′) and Bafodé Diakité (86′) hit the uprights. A lack of success which would cost the Mastiffs dearly. In the last situation of the match, a free kick from Nice, Tom Louchet was on the second ball and crossed his shot which ended up in the Lille net despite the density. Obviously disappointed at the time, especially since it held a warm place on the podium for the break, LOSC will at least be able to be satisfied with invincibility over the last ten matches preserved and a certain ease at the end. ‘outside confirmed.
Enzo PAILOT
The match film:
3′ Launched on the left side, Bakker adjusts a very good cross towards David, who takes a header but does not target.
4′ Bouaddi loses a dangerous ball under Nice pressure, Cho throws Guessand but Alexsandro makes a saving tackle at the penalty spot. On the corner, the ball passes everyone without being caught, but heat on the Lille goal.
17′ On an excellent restart from Alexsandro, Fernandez sets towards the center and overtakes everyone before shooting Bulka’s near post. The Belgian opened the scoring. (1-0)
20′ Fernandez again makes differences on the left side and comes out with Bouaddi, who finds David lacking power on his head.
28′ Launched by a magical pass from Rosario, Cho does not target his shot before being flagged offside.
29′ Bouaddi loses another dangerous ball in the middle. Nice projects and Mandi makes an exceptional comeback in front of Cho.
40′ Mandi projects and adjusts a dangerous cross, diverted by Clauss who is saved from his own camp by Bulka. On the other side of the field, André also cuts a dangerous cross.
51′ Boga hits left side and center. Ndombele resumes but does not target.
53′ Mandi intervenes on Diot’s shot, while Abdi’s shot misses the target. Nice grows.
56′ At the origin of the shift, Diop is at the conclusion of a nice movement on the right side. The Nice attacking midfielder, placed between the defense and the goalkeeper, beats everyone to Clauss’ cross. (1-1)
59′ On a long free kick, Zhegrova tries to deceive Bulka’s vigilance by trying directly. In vain.
64′ On a good cross from Boga, Alexsandro headed towards a vigilant Knight.
66′ Fernandez brings danger again on the left and center behind André. The captain hits the post, finds the ball and serves Bakker, who scores from close range. (1-2)
74′ Well served by Diakité, David adjusts a powerful shot on which Bulka lays down well.
77′ Chevalier is vigilant and catches the ball after a billiard shot in the area.
81′ Barely in, Gudmundsson adjusts a missile towards the top corner of Bulka, saved by his post.
84′ Abdi takes another half-volley, but his shot goes off target.
86′ On an excellent free kick from Angel Gomes, Diakité resumes with a lobbed header which crashes onto the post.
90+1′ Almost trapped by the rebound on Diop’s shot, Chevalier captures in two stages.
90+6′ On the last free kick of the match, Louchet crosses his shot and equalizes in the final moments. (2-2)
NICE – LOSC: 2-2 (1-0)
11th day of Ligue 1
Allianz Riviera, Nice
Referee: M. Stinat
Goals: Diop (56′), Louchet (90+6′) for Nice; Fernandez (17′), Bakker (66′) for Lille
Warnings: Clauss (37′) for Nice
NICE (3-4-3) : Bulka – Bombito, Ndayishimiye, Bard (Diop, 46′) – Clauss, Rosario, Ndombele (Louchet, 62′), Abdi – Guessand, Cho, Boga
Substitutes: Dupé (l.), Dante, Bouanani, Camara, Louchet, Diop, Laborde, Moukoko, Orakpo
Coach: Franck Haise
LOSC (4-3-3) : Chevalier – Mandi, Diakité, Alexsandro, Bakker – André (c.), Mukau, Bouaddi (Angel Gomes, 67′) – Zhegrova, David, Fernandez
Replacements: Mannone (g.), Zedadka, Gudmundsson, Ismaily, Angel Gomes, Cabella, Sahraoui, Malouda, Bayo
Coach: Bruno Genesio
Photo credits : Pascal Della Zuana/Icon Sport
