Hard evening for the gym. Nice bows 2-0 at home against Benfica and sees the C1 moving away. The walk was too high …
The European dream turned to the hard lesson in realism. For its comeback in the Champions League, the OGC Nice underwent the law of a Benfica Lisbon superior and more experienced (0-2). This home defeat, during the third preliminary round, to go, very heavily compromises the chances of qualification of the Aiglons and recalls that the walk is still high for the gym on the continental scene. The illusion of a promising first half was not enough; It will now need a miracle in Lisbon.
The illusion of a half-time, the miracles of Diouf
However, for 45 minutes, the Allianz Riviera had the right to believe it. Pushed by an audience on fire for the reunion with the little music, the men of Franck Haise held the high dragee in the Portuguese giant. By responding to the physical challenge and trying to project themselves, the Niçois were equal, even creating hot situations as on this strike from Moffi which could not find the frame (40th). But to stay alive and reach the break on a zero and virgin score, Nice was able to count on an Yehvann Diouf in a state of grace. The porter of Nice has released miraculous parades, first on a powerful free kick of Rios (19th), then especially on an attempt at close range of Pavlidis (39th). The lock held up, the feat seemed possible.
But the illusion suddenly flew up on the return from the locker room. Benfica has raised the tone, accelerated, and the Nice defense, orphan from Morgan Sanson released on injury in the first period, ended up cracking. On a center from the right signed at the Recruit Franjo Ivanović, very active, arose to adjust Diouf closely and shower the atmosphere (53rd). This goal acted as a real blow on the French Riviera heads. Sanded, the Aiglons have lost the thread, undergoing the Portuguese waves and exposing themselves to increasingly dangerous counters, still forcing Diouf to a decisive rescue (62nd).
Nice believed there a half-time before giving in against Benfica
Portuguese realism, the end of the Nice dream?
Nice was never going to recover. Benfica's experience, serene management of key moments and the class of his individuals made the difference. At the end of the match, while Nice tried a disorderly bar of honor, Florentino Luís, with a powerful and precise strike from the outside of the surface, came to seal the Portuguese victory (88th) and probably end the last hopes of Nice in this double confrontation. This second goal makes the mission of the return match almost impossible and confirms the general feeling: walking was simply too high tonight.
Nice therefore learned, at its expense, the harsh law of European jousts. The promising face displayed in the first period is a very meager consolation in the face of the magnitude of the task that is now awaiting the gym. Faced with a Benfica master of his subject, who never panicked, the gap was too large. The dream of the great Europe has probably already gone in the heat of August.
