Nice (AFP)

Author of his first two goals in Ligue 1, young rookie from Nice Amine Gouiri gave the Aiglons victory at home against Lens (2-1), back in Ligue 1 after five seasons in purgatory.

At 20, Gouiri, a pure product of Lyon training and debauched at OL by Nice this summer for seven million euros, extinguished Lensois dreams of a successful return to Ligue 1. For his first official match with Nice , in an Allianz Riviera behind closed doors due to coronavirus, he signed two magnificent coiled strikes (23rd and 75th) from the right on which goalkeeper Jean-Louis Leca could not do anything.

This victory does not however hide the collective wanderings of the Niçois. Because, even after conceding the second goal, the Northerners never gave up and, until the end, tried to equalize. But goalkeeper Walter Benitez was vigilant, especially in front of Simon Banza who had played against Andy Pelmard (69th) and on a header from Loïc Badé (90th).

For Lens, the last match at this level was on May 23, 2015. Despite a victory against Nantes (1-0), the Sang et Or had finished last and relegated. The northern club therefore struggled five long seasons in Ligue 2 before being able to taste Ligue 1 again.

And the return was at the level of expectation. For more than an hour at least ... In a 5-2-3 set up by coach Franck Haise, a novice at this level, in order to press the Niçois, Lens started very well.

Ex-Aiglon Ignatus Ganago saw his attempt hijacked by Captain Dante's arm. After viewing the footage, referee M. Miguelgorry awarded the penalty. For his return to his training club, Gaël Kakuta did not hesitate to succeed Pablo Chavarria, more than five years later (0-1, 10th).

In the process, magnificently offset by Kakuta, Florian Sotoca offered Ganago a caviar. But, late, the attacker sold 6 million euros by the Gym in Lens, failed to double the stake (21st).

Nice then rebelled. Served by Hassane Kamara on the left side at the entrance to the area, Gouiri wound up a love ball in the skylight (1-1, 24th).

After the break, even though Nice dominated, the collective expression was too awkward to please Patrick Vieira. And on a disagreement between Leca and Facundo Medina, Pierre Lees-Melou intelligently recovered the ball. His offensive tackle put Gouiri into orbit.

Launched on the left side, the new little Riviera elf who will undoubtedly be a darling of the Allianz Riviera when the public returns, played with everyone to give the victory to his family with a curled shot (2 -1, 75th).

© 2020 AFP