“Paradoxical” against Saint-Etienne, the Gym can still dream of Europe

At the Allianz Riviera (Nice),

After its failed Coupe de France final on Saturday against FC Nantes, Nice feared not to recover against Saint-Etienne on Wednesday evening at the Allianz Riviera on behalf of the 36th day of Ligue 1. Led 0 -2 at the break after being completely non-existent, the Aiglons reacted with style in the second period.

Back from the locker room, the reassembly. They offered a festival of goals (4-2) allowing the Gym to still be able to hang on to Europe. Two totally opposite faces. “This team is paradoxical, always in reaction”, summarized Christophe Galtier at the end of the meeting, evoking “an incredible start to the second half”. “This victory is that of an extra soul and the desire not to close the season”, underlined the coach about a match also tainted by insulting songs with regard to the memory of Emiliano Sala.

“The consequences of the Stade de France”

Next to the plate until the 52nd minute, the OGC Nice players overturned the match after a first goal of the season from ex-Lyonnais Melvin Bard (1-2, 53rd). A double from Andy Delort (2-2, 60th and 3-2, 62nd) and a volley from Hicham Boudaoui (4-2, 80th) ended up disgusting the Stéphanois. Fourth, two points behind Monaco (3rd), the Riviera therefore remain on the lookout for the podium, two days before the end of the championship.

A start, an “awakening”, which captain Dante and defender Jean-Clair Todibo asked their teammates in the middle of the match. “We claim to play Europe and what we offered in the first half was not at all of this caliber. It was even unacceptable, explained the native of Guyana in the mixed zone. I think there were still the consequences of the Stade de France. But, even if it’s hard to take, you have to take it. We could have wasted this opportunity to hook those who are in front of us. »

Between “technical errors” and paying “offensive risks”

In the first period, Nice “was intercepted in incredible areas”, regretted Christophe Galtier. “We lost a lot of balls and we made a lot of technical errors”, confirmed his double scorer Andy Delort at the microphone of Prime video.

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While in second, the team was able to come back thanks to taking “more offensive risks”, according to the coach. These paradoxes described by the coach, the Aiglons no longer really have the time to express them. They only have the reception of Lille (10th) left on Saturday and a trip to Reims (12th) on May 21.