On the Toulouse side, Elie Baup had opted for a striking duo composed of Elmander and Gignac, while his counterpart Antonetti had finally decided to line up Rool, returning from injury, and Bamogo, who had served his suspension. It would ultimately be Toulouse who would start the proceedings with a shot attempt by Sissoko which Lloris easily handled. Then it was Bamogo’s turn to test the Toulouse goalkeeper, well assisted by Jeunechamps; the Nice striker managed a fine controlled touch in the box followed by a strong right-footed strike, forcing Douchez to make a crucial save.
The game was generally in favor of Nice, who circulated the ball well. Balmont even tried his luck from distance at the half-hour mark, but again, the Toulouse keeper was alert. Elmander tried in vain to revive the Toulouse side, but his header just missed over Lloris’s crossbar. It seemed that the teams would go into the locker room with the score still goalless, but from a well-taken corner by Paulo Cesar, the perfect cross found the captain Arribagé who, with an acrobatic gesture akin to a karateka, sent the ball to the back of the net. Nice responded also from a corner, but Laslandes’ header only found the Toulouse goal crossbar. The first half ended with a slender advantage for the joyful hosts.
Antonetti then decided to bring on Modeste in place of Echouafni, and the game resumed for the second half. After a major scramble in front of the Nice goal which could have allowed Gignac to extend the lead, it was Modeste’s turn to see his attempt blocked by the tip of Arribagé’s boot, narrowly missing the Toulouse post. The game livened up, and the hosts appeared more spirited, exemplified by Elmander, whose neat headed attempt once again required Lloris to demonstrate his full talent to catch the ball in two attempts. Shortly after, another duel between the same protagonists, and again the young Nice keeper got the upper hand over the Toulouse striker, catching his strike.
Toulouse sought a knockout blow, but Nice held firm.
As the match neared its end, Toulouse looked poised to end Nice’s impressive twelve-match unbeaten streak. With two minutes to play, Hellebuyck prepared to take one of the last corners of the match. The immaculate cross reached Honorato Campos Ederson, who, with a superb headed effort, left Douchez no chance, the ball ending its course in his net. With a bit more luck, the Brazilian, highly sought after by major European clubs, might have even given his team the lead, but his strike went just beside the Toulouse goals. Mr. Fautrel whistled the end of the match, marking yet another solid performance by the Eaglets, who brought home another point from this second consecutive away game.
With this draw, Nice remains solidly in fourth place in the standings, just one point behind Nancy, who drew at Auxerre but managed a good operation against their followers since Monaco, defeated at Le Mans (1-0), and Caen, demolished at Marseille (6-1), are relegated to three points below the people from Nice. A good evening then for Frédéric Antonetti’s proteges who will go next Saturday to face Angers on their grounds for the 16th round of the French Cup before hosting Marseille on February 10th for a derby that will surely electrify the Ray hill.
See the [match summary](https://www.dailymotion.com/nicorclens/video/x46flj_toulouse-nice-11-jour-de-foot-canal_sport).
