After the logical qualification of Monaco against Amiens (2-0) on Tuesday and the historic one of the Petit Poucet Versailles against Bergerac (1-1, 4-5 T.a.b.) a little earlier in the day, Nice and Marseille were fighting on Wednesday evening for the 3rd ticket to the last square of the Coupe de France. At the end of a spectacular game, the 10th derby of the name between the two teams, turned in favor of Nice (4-1). A victory that bears the stamp of the young Dutchman Justin Kluivert.
What to remember
It was not necessary to arrive late to the match, whether in the Allianz Riviera stadium or in front of his TV screen. The quarter-final clash between the 2nd (OM) and the 3rd (OGCN) of Ligue 1 kept all its promises. The 33,000 Nice fans present – their counterparts from Marseille were banned from traveling by the departmental authorities – witnessed a magnificent spectacle. An offensive festival. Present in the stands, Didier Deschamps, who has never won the Coupe de France either as a player or coach, but who was in charge of the draw after the game, must have appreciated.
Indeed, it is not necessary to wait long before witnessing the opening of the score. Just 153 seconds. Arkadiusz Milic plays a very bad trick on his compatriot Marcin Bulka by being at the origin of the Marseille goal. Left on the edge of the offside, the Polish striker of OM sees his counter strike return to the feet of Cengiz Ünder who tries his luck. At the end of a mess worthy of a billiard shot, the ball finally bounces on Melvin Bard, who unintentionally, scores against his side (0-1, 3rd).
The duel of the Southerners is perfectly launched. And the festival has only just begun. Christophe Galtier, who had announced before the game on France 3, that it was necessary to “play, contain the Marseille game” and that he had “identified flaws”, was heard by his players. In the 10th minute, Amine Gouiri, at the end of a superb sequence of dribbles and strikes, equalizes for Nice (1-1, 10th). After seeing his shot come close to the post in the 21st, Justin Kluivert allows his team to take advantage of a subtle poked header (2-1, 29th).
As soon as the locker room returned, Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli decided to change his tactical scheme. He throws forward Cedric Bakambu and recalls defender Leonardo Balerdi to the bench. A choice that could have paid off. From the tip of the foot, Bakambu scores in the 48th … but his goal is disallowed for a logical offside. Marseille may have passed up their chance. On the next action, the inevitable Justin Kluivert, with a powerful strike in the middle of the skylight, allows Nice to widen the gap (3-1, 49e). Her second jewel of the evening.
Bakambu, still him, creates a new opportunity but Bulka turns away from the hip (53rd). Success flees the Marseillais … not the Nice people. After receiving a cross from Kluivert, Delord scored… from inside the left knee (4-1, 61st). Nothing seems to be able to happen in Nice this Wednesday evening. OM had not conceded 4 away goals in the Coupe de France since April 18, 1973 at the Stade de Gerland against Lyon.
The player: Justin Kluivert
Untenable! Indispensable! Justin Kluivert was one of the great architects of the Nice victory. With each of his shots, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder lit up the Nice game and created danger in the opposing side. Already one of the best players of the OGC during the qualification at the Park last week, he confirmed his current good pass. Placed by Galtier on the right side – unlike the match against PSG – Patrick’s son regularly gets the better of his direct opponent, Luan Peres. Effective in the game, the one who is on loan from Rome is also effective in front of goal since he scored a double – two magnificent goals – and sent an offering for Delort. Christophe Galtier released it in the 82nd under a long and beautiful ovation from the audience.
The number: 11
11 years later, Nice is back in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France. Authors of the sensation in the previous round with the elimination of the king of the event PSG (6 successes in the last 7 editions), the Niçois hold their ticket to the last square. At the time, they had been beaten at home by Lille, the eventual winners. Nice has won this trophy three times: in 1952, 1954, and 1997.