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A second-half brace from Gaston Curbelo handed Nancy a crucial victory over Troyes on Saturday.
Starting the weekend in 18th position, Nancy desperately needed to secure their third win of the season at home to another promoted team Troyes. They duly secured the three points, but had to work extremely hard after falling behind in the first period.
Scorer against Monaco in midweek, Sébastien Grax was on target again here. As has so often been the case with Troyes this season, the inspiration came from their Tunisian recruit Ziad Jaziri, who carried the ball forward 20 metres before releasing Grax to slot coolly past Gennaro Bracigliano on 27 minutes.
It was a hammer blow to Nancy who had started the game so brightly. Troyes ‘keeper Ronan Le Crom was tested as early as the second minute, reacting well to parry out Pascal Berenguer’s long-range free kick.
That set the tone for the home side, who began to attack with determination. Adrian Sarkisain set off on a mazy run down the left on 12 minutes but his cross was headed wastefully over the top by Curbelo.
Grax’s goal took the wind out of the home side’s sails, however, and they struggled to maintain their momentum for the remainder of the first period.
Pablo Correa, the Nancy Coach, managed to motivate his team again at half-time, as they came out firing once more after the break.
Frédéric Biancalani’s cross was headed goalwards by Adailton but Le Crom pulled off a fine reflex save. Nancy got the goal their pressure deserved on 55 minutes, Curbelo arcing a brilliant header over Le Crom after latching onto a long pass into the area.
It filled the Nancy players with confidence and they were soon pouring forward in search of a winner. The side from Lorraine fully deserved the win and the key moment duly arrived 17 minutes from time, as Curbelo rifled in his second of the night.
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