Nice beats Lyon in Ligue 1 to secure Europa League qualification spot

### Nice Beats Lyon in Ligue 1 to Secure Europa League Qualification Spot

The French football club Nice secured their place in the UEFA Europa League for the 2023-24 season with a convincing victory over Lyon in the final round of the Ligue 1 table. The match was played at Stade de France on October 5th and ended in a 3-1 win for Nice.

#### Match Highlights

- **Goals:**

- In the first half, Nice's forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice.

- Lyon managed to score once through substitute Yannick Carrasco.

- **Key Substitutions:**

- Nice made two changes in the second half: Lucas Digne replaced Antoine Griezmann and Benoit Assoumeh came on as a substitute for Jean-Michel Blatini.

- **Defensive Performance:**

- Nice demonstrated excellent defensive solidity throughout the game, limiting Lyon's chances significantly.

#### Impact on Ligue 1 Table

With this victory, Nice moved up from ninth to seventh position in Ligue 1, securing them a playoff spot against Paris Saint-Germain or Monaco. This result is particularly significant given that Nice had been struggling early in the season due to injuries and poor form.

#### Next Steps

Now that Nice has secured their Europa League spot, they will face either PSG or Monaco in the playoffs. Both teams have strong histories in European competitions, so it will be an exciting matchup to watch.

#### Managerial Reflections

Nicolas Pepe, Nice's manager, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and praised his players' resilience under pressure. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and unity during the playoff phase.

"Today's victory is a testament to our hard work and dedication," Pepe said. "We know that the next step is challenging, but we're ready to rise to the occasion."

#### Conclusion

The victory against Lyon not only solidified Nice's spot in the Europa League but also provided a boost to their confidence heading into the playoffs. As they prepare for their upcoming matches, Nice aims to continue their impressive run and potentially make history by advancing further into the tournament.

Stay tuned for updates on Nice's progress in the upcoming rounds of the Europa League and beyond!