The game: 0-2
Launched in the race for the podium in Ligue 1, Nice, current third in the standings, will therefore play on two fronts until the end of the season. In an Allianz Riviera which did not shy away from its pleasure, the Gym ended the great adventure of FC Versailles (1-0) in the Coupe de France, this Tuesday in the semi-finals, after a match as planned not so obvious for the Aiglons. But Christophe Galtier’s players were able to be patient and realistic enough to avoid falling into the trap. They will face Nantes or Monaco in the final.
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From the start, the OGCN showed its intentions, putting pressure on its modest opponent. In the wake of Khéphren Thuram, impressive in his projections, Nice got two good chances (11th and 43rd), without managing to materialize. Disciplined, the Ile-de-France residents suffered a lot and stopped falling over the minutes, before logically cracking in the second half, twice (48th and 73rd). Rarely dangerous (39th and 77th), the National 2 club, current leader of its group in the Championship, has not been unworthy, but it will not join Calais, still the only finalist at this level in the event (1-2 defeat against Nantes in 2000).
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After his title with Lille last season and the Coupe de la Ligue won with Saint-Etienne in 2013, Galtier will seek the last national title he lacks (he won two as assistant), May 8 at the Stade de France. At that time, his team will have entered the money-time in L1. For Nice, spring could rhyme with happiness.
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The player: Gouiri as boss
If in the absence of Dante, suspended, Andy Delort inherited the armband, the real technical leader on the ground was undoubtedly still Amine Gouiri, as since the start of the season. The former Lyonnais scored his 12th goal in all competitions, on a fine sequence from the penalty spot at the start of the second half (48th), before offering the second of the match to Kasper Dolberg, after a technical festival (73rd). Permanent danger already before the break, especially in the axis by his percussion, the attacker never let the Versailles defense breathe. And did not go far from a double (56th).
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5
Nice qualified for its fifth Coupe de France final, after its three victories in 1952, 1954 and 1997. Its only defeat dates back to 1978, against Nancy (0-1).
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