Last-gasp Sidibé stunner seals Toulouse win at Nice
More late drama over the opening weekend as Toulouse completed a dramatic win over OGC Nice thanks to an 89th minute strike from Djibril Sidibé, publishing Les Aiglons for not making the most of what was a reasonably dominant display.
As much of the opening Ligue 1 McDonald's games this weekend, OGC Nice and Toulouse kicked-off with intensity as two entertaining styles clashed at the Allianz Riviera to finish off Saturday night's action. Les Aiglons were under pressure to get their domestic campaign underway after being knocked out of UEFA Champions League qualifying by Portuguese side Benfica.
Cagey Riviera affair
Despite the intent and an interesting tactical battle between Franck Haise and Carles Martinez Novell, the first period had little to show for in early chances. The highlight was Yehvann Diouf letting the ball pass him by - only to hit the post a dribble across the line before the Frenchman could calmly pass the ball out from his six-yard box. Despite a promising start from the hosts, it was Toulouse who eventually threatened more with possession and some interesting combinations to escape Nice's press.
In the second half, OGCN midfielder Boudaoui grabbed the first chance with a whipped effort just falling wide of Guillaume Restes' right post.This was before Restes had to be quick on his feet to smother the ball after Jansson beared down into the box one-on-one. Le Gym piled on the pressure as Charlie Cresswell had to perform a double block and Restes had to tip over the bar from Boudaoui's arrowed strike. Nice managed to pile on the pressure midway through the second half, as Les Violets found it hard to construct anything of note until a great passage of play saw Toulouse release the pressure around the 70th - playing past the Nice press and 17-year-old Alexis Vossah blasting over the bar from range.
Les Aiglons once again piled on the pressure in the final minutes, as Jeremie Boga tried his luck from range and required a stop from the feet of Restes, before Boudaoui went down after minimal contact from a TFC defender. It would be the late show at the Allianz Riviera as Toulouse struck just before injury-time: Nice were the architects of their own downfall as they lost possession in their own half. Gboho sent a perfect ball to Sidibé who slammed home at the far post and sent the travelling fans into pandemonium (89').
MATCH REACTION:
Toulouse FC scorer, Djibril Sidibé:
"I am really happy to score but what was really good was to go right to the end of the game because the pre-season was quite difficult (losing to Leipzig 7-0 and Stuttgart 6-0) . These kinds of games play on the details, we're happy to have taken the right opportunity to win the game tonight [against Nice]"
