Nice (AFP)

Nice, bereaved by the tragedy that struck the city in the morning, finally launched its European season thanks to its victory over the Israeli team of Hapoel Beer-Sheva (1-0), Thursday evening during the second day of Group C of the Europa League.

Now with three points in two games, as much as their evening opponent, but also as Slavia Prague, their future opponents, and Bayer Leverkusen, OGC Nice has completely revived in the race for qualification.

After being overtaken in Germany last week, Patrick Vieira's men have therefore caught up well, as requested by their coach.

In complicated circumstances and a very heavy climate ...

Moreover, a long silence in homage to the three victims of the knife attack the same morning, in the city center, preceded the start of the meeting.

Then, despite the circumstances and an empty stadium, a good European match took place.

And some Nice people are no strangers to it.

Such Youcef Atal, who regained his ardor and quickly demonstrated it.

Even if the Gym controlled the match, with more than 65% possession of the ball, his team was unable to destabilize their opponent.

The Algerian international therefore insisted on his side.

And when he is excellent, which is not always the case (41st and 43rd), the right side makes the differences.

- Gouiri two goals in two matches -

Following his overflow, Atal therefore offered a caviar to Amine Gouiri, whose recovery of the flat of the right foot, however little supported, beat the Israeli goalkeeper Ohad Levita (1-0, 23rd).

Scorer for the second time in two European Cup matches, the ex-prodigy of the Olympique Lyonnais academy is no longer a revelation.

He gradually established himself as the leader of the Aiglons attack.

If Nice was superior to Beer-Sheva throughout the first period, it took one, even two hairs, for the teams to return to the locker room tied.

But each time, Walter Benitez was perfectly vigilant to keep his goal blank.

He first came out with courage in the feet of Or Dadia (37th).

Then, the Nice goalkeeper deflected a shot from Joshua, ideally served back at the penalty point by Dadia (45th).

After the break, the winner of the Israel Cup changed his strategy, more offensive.

But despite greater pressure in the Nice camp, only a center-shot over the crossbar really worried Benitez (56th).

The Gym was scared to the end.

Blame it on the inability of Gouiri, a badly done header (67th), then Kasper Dolberg who lost his head-to-head with Levita (75th) to double the bet.

But the defense held on.

Now, the Rouge et Noir, symbol of a bruised city, have the opportunity to get closer to a qualification with a double confrontation against Slavia Prague, the same opponent as 23 years ago, in 1 / 8th of final of the European Cup winners' Cup.

It was the world before ...

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