Nice returns and continues the fight to enter the Champions League

Nice produced a great reaction in the second half and overcame a two-goal deficit against Saint-Étienne to achieve a victory (4-2) that brought Christophe Galtier’s team closer to the Champions League positions.

Nice soon assimilated the defeat suffered last weekend in the French Cup final that Nantes snatched from them (1-0). Upon their return to Ligue 1, Galtier’s team achieved a victory necessary to continue the desire, two days from the end, to enter the Champions League.

However, they forsook the entire first half and Saint-Étienne took advantage of it to put up a good lead for a win that eventually escaped them. The greens, penultimate on the table, in the promotion zone, need points to get stuck in the danger zone and achieve a permanent chase they have throughout the course.

0-2 in the first half

Before the quarter of an hour Ryan Bouanga led the visitors after a pass by Yvann Macon and in the extra time of the first half he extended his advantage with a goal from Zaydou Youssouf.

But Nice’s reaction was strong. Led by Algerian Andy Delort, the situation was reversed. He first closed the gap with an individual action by Melvin Bard in the 52nd minute.

Delort Double

Delort then entered the action. A perfectly executed free kick was matched in the 60th minute and three minutes later he was able to lead his team when he finished off a great pass by Justin Kluivert.

Ten minutes from time, a ball given by the Algerian to his compatriot Hicham Boudaoui ensured the local victory.

The victory put Nice two points behind Rennes, third in the table and closing out the Champions League spots. Saint-Etienne remains third from the latter, in promotion, three away from being permanently marked by Lorient.