There is still a step to take for OGC Nice to win their first trophy in twenty-five years. The Riviera club qualified on Tuesday 1er March, for the final of the Coupe de France, beating at home Versailles, a fourth division club (N2) with the score of 2-0. The Niçois, winners of the event in 1997, will face the winner of Nantes-Monaco, scheduled for Wednesday evening.
After a complicated first period (0-0), Christophe Galtier’s men enforced the hierarchy against a brave team from Versailles. And it was Amine Gouiri, on two high-level kicks that made the difference.
On the first, he receives a good cross from Jordan Lotomba. After a control, his half-volley from outside the right goes into the skylight (1-0, 48and). Then on the counter, he combined success, perseverance and technical quality to outwit three opponents and shift Kasper Dolberg, a cold-blooded scorer (2-0, 73and).
A guard of honor for lovers of Versailles
Nice then no longer trembled. Christophe Galtier was even able to rotate his workforce and preserve Andy Delort, Khephren Thuram or Gouiri in anticipation of the shock against Paris SG, Saturday evening, again at the Allianz Riviera. This did not prevent the Aiglons from celebrating with their long-term supporters the qualification for the final at the Stade de France on May 8.
But first, they reserved a guard of honor for the brave Versaillese. Very disciplined on the defensive plan, combative in all areas of the field, aggressive on the opposing ball carrier, and capable of some offensive flashes, Youssef Chibhi’s men were up to the event, they who had accumulated nine qualifications to get there (eight wins and a qualification on penalties in the quarter-finals in Bergerac).
“We came across a great team from Versailles. Congratulations to our opponents and their coach, said Christophe Galtier after his team qualified. Above all, we are very happy for the club and for the supporters who will be very numerous in Paris. [pour la finale]. »
“There was great exposure in this semi-final and a lot of pressure. The France of football wanted an exploit of the “small”. That’s the charm of this Cup,” added the coach, already winner of the Coupe de la Ligue with Saint-Etienne in 2013, and champion of France with Lille last season.
