Last French representative in the European Cup, Nice qualified for the quarter-finals of the Europa League Conference on Thursday evening at the Allianz Riviera, after their new victory over the Moldovan team of Sheriff Tiraspol (3-1, first leg: 1-0) in the round of 16. Thanks to its attackers Gaëtan Larborde, Terem Moffi and Billal Brahimi, authors of a goal each, Nice will continue its history with the European Cup this season. For the first time in 63 years, and an elimination in 1960 against Real Madrid in the Cup of champion clubs at the time (the equivalent of the current Champions League), the Aiglons will experience a European quarter-final. They will know this Friday at 2 p.m. their next opponent.
Without Sofiane Diop, Youcef Atal, Antoine Mendy, injured, without Dante, suspended, and especially without his regulator Hicham Boudaoui, in the group communicated the day before but who, insufficiently recovered from a blow to the hip taken in Nantes last Sunday, has gave up at the very last moment, Nice took time to take the measure of their opponent. Despite their dominance, the Côte d'Azur team began to approach the goals of the Ukrainian Maxym Koval late. The Aiglons' first attempt, signed Aaron Ramsey, slightly deflected for a corner, only came in the 25th minute.
Then, on a counter perfectly started by Laborde from his own camp on the left side, Nice took the advantage. The ex-Rennes relied on the future international A, Khephren Thuram, who propelled him towards the opposing goals. After 80 meters of sprinting, Laborde offered himself, with a nice dive, a third European goal this season as well as a triumph in front of a crowded Nice Kop (1-0, 30th).
Relieved, Nice then maintained its vigilance. If the Sheriff only hit once, from afar, by Moussa Kyabou (37th), Moffi lacked finesse (45th 1) and Pablo Rosario, promptness (45th 2) to double the bet. Little in sight in the first half, Brahimi and Moffi more often took depth after the break. First the Algerian could not beat Koval (49th). But the Nigerian did not miss it. After a one-two with Rosario, he passed the Moldovan rearguard, before sending a winning cross shot between the legs of Zimbabwean defender Munashe Garananga (2-0, 53rd).
This time, however, the men of Didier Digard, relayed by Julien Sablé in the European Cup - UEFA accusing him of not yet holding a professional coaching diploma - lost their concentration. The excellent Burkinabe striker Abdoul Tapsoba sanctioned a series of errors by Melvin Bard and Jean-Clair Todibo (2-1, 55th). Digard then made four changes at once (67th). He went from a 4-5-1 to a 5-4-1. The Niçois foiled, pushed by the opposing pressure and stressed by a possible return of the Sheriff. After releasing defender Youssuf Ndayishimiye, touched, and bringing in young midfielder Reda Belahyane, Digard rectified. Nice went back to 4-5-1, and regained control of the middle (75th).
It was enough for Brahimi to sound the charge. Moffi, whom he staggered, hit the post. But the young Algerian international followed well and ensured a historic and deserved qualification for the Gym (3-1, 79th).
