Imbang 2-2! Nice vs Twente, Hilgers Absen
The first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off tie between Nice and Twente ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Allianz Riviera. Both sides displayed attacking prowess, with Nice taking an early lead only to be pegged back by a resilient Twente side.
Early Lead for Nice
The home side started brightly, pressing high and creating numerous chances early on. Their efforts paid off in the 17th minute when Terem Moffi opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. The lead could have been doubled just minutes later, but Gaëtan Laborde's shot was saved by Sander van der Streek in the Twente goal.
Twente Fights Back
Twente, however, showed their resilience and fought their way back into the game. Michel Vlap leveled the score in the 31st minute with a clever finish. Vlap then turned provider, setting up Daan Rots for a tap-in just four minutes later, giving Twente a deserved lead.
Second Half Drama
The second half was a tense affair, with both teams pushing for a winning goal. Nice, spurred on by the home crowd, came close on several occasions. In the 78th minute, Moffi scored his second goal of the match, drawing Nice level and setting up a thrilling conclusion.
Hilgers Injury Concerns
The game was marred by an injury to Twente defender Jayden Hilgers, who had to be stretchered off in the second half. The extent of his injury is not yet known, but it will be a major concern for Twente going into the second leg.
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
The draw leaves the tie wide open heading into the second leg in Enschede next week. Nice will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage, while Twente will be hoping to overcome the absence of Hilgers and secure a positive result on their own turf.
Key Takeaways:
- Nice started strongly and took an early lead, but Twente fought back valiantly.
- Michel Vlap was instrumental in Twente's comeback, scoring one goal and assisting another.
- Terem Moffi scored twice for Nice, but his second goal was not enough to secure a win.
- Jayden Hilgers' injury is a major concern for Twente.
- The second leg in Enschede promises to be a thrilling encounter.
The first leg of the tie highlighted the attacking prowess of both teams, and the second leg is likely to be just as entertaining. This draw sets up a fascinating contest, and both teams will be eager to secure a place in the group stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League.