OGC Nice did not go far from a huge blow. After losing the first round in Israel, the Aiglons finally got away with it, at home, against Maccabi Tel-Aviv. By winning 2-0 after extra time, they won their ticket to the group stage of the Europa League Conference.
But the Gym did not immediately shine in front of their public, who were able to discover the new recruit, Nicolas Pépé, before kick-off. In a first period less to their advantage than in the first leg, the Niçois were realistic this time in front of the cages. After a good cross from Khephren Thuram, Alexis Claude-Maurice misses his header, but touches it towards the back of the net to give his side the advantage (25th).
Opportunities galore
Nice could have doubled the bet a few minutes later, when Andy Delort is on the verge of winning in one against one against the opposing goalkeeper (32nd). Badly returned from the locker room, the Niçois climbed the slope on the hour mark, and pushed hard in front of the Maccabi cages. Despite several huge opportunities, they stumbled on the Israeli doorman, Daniel Peretz, who did everything on Thursday evening.
In overtime, Amine Gouiri leaves his teammates outnumbered, punished with a second yellow card (100th). Entered in place of a Kekphren Thuram affected by cramps, it is finally one of the recruits of the transfer window, Alexis Beka Beka, who qualifies his own. With a superb off-center strike from the corner of the area, the former Lokomotiv Moscow player cleans the Maccabi skylight, and ignites the Allianz Riviera (113th).
A more than important qualification for France’s UEFA coefficient. After the elimination of AS Monaco in the Champions League play-offs, a new disillusion could have cost Ligue 1 clubs dearly. Very close in the standings, the Netherlands are strongly eyeing 5th French place, soon synonymous with three qualifications straight to the Champions League.