Europa League Conference: Nice dominates Tiraspol and takes the quarter-finals

Until 20 April, the return date for the quarter-finals, Nice will remain the only French club to compete in European competition this season. Having won (3-1) at the Allianz Riviera this Thursday from the Sheriff of Tiraspol, Aiglons are now waiting for an opponent to be assigned to them this Friday in Nyon (Switzerland) during the draw.

Ayub Amraoui’s goal in Moldova last week will allow his teammates to start without pressure. Without Dante, his captain, suspended after being warned too many times, Nice are set to continue their formidable eleven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. “Our idea has always been the same: we play every game to win them. We have ambitions in the game, we have desires, principles of play that are very strong,” warned Julien Sablé, assistant to Didier Digard.

We are initially bored in a far from full hall (23,000 spectators), who have to wait half an hour for the game to find their voice. Chefren Thuram, called up in the Blues against the Netherlands and Ireland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, opened up great for Gaetan Laborde, who followed up with a great ball over the Moldovan goalkeeper. Great art. Shortly before the break, Terem Moffi tries the same gesture, but the Nigerian’s shot goes close to Maksim Koval’s total.

On loan until the end of the season with a mandatory purchase, the former Lorient player is rewarded for his efforts after an individual feat (2-0, 53rd). Short-lived joy when Tapsoba immediately reduced the mark after a misunderstanding on the part of the aiglons in defense. This is the moment chosen to give a second wind, especially with the work of Nicolas Pepe. Tiraspol believes in this until the counterattack led by Billal Brahimi completes (3-1, 79th).

In the quarter-finals of the European Cup for the first time since … 1960, the current 7th player in Ligue 1 clearly intends to fulfill his dream from April 13, the day of the first match. This will require the next hurdle to be overcome and the next opponent will be between Fiorentina, Basel, Poznań, West Ham, Alkmaar (scoring Lazio Rome), La Gantoise and Anderlecht.