The tough series continues for the eaglets. Defeated 1-0 by Saint-Etienne at home, Nice has not tasted victory for 4 matches since their success against Marseille. Overwhelmed by enterprising Stéphanois players, OGC Nice never got into the game, too diminished and unable to produce play.
Only the absentees shone against Saint-Etienne. Deprived of several key players, Nice suffered from a distinct lack of talent. A fact symbolized by the rare chances conceded by the Stéphanois in this match.
Yet, the Azuréens started this match well. Compact in defense and solid in midfield, Nice managed to disrupt the Stéphanois collective but without ever troubling Stéphane Ruffier even once. This apathy and lack of drive came back to punish the Niçois. Against the run of play, Erding capitalized on a glaring mistake by Véronese to open the score. The Nice goalkeeper missed his control in front of his goal and left all the room for the Turk to score his first goal in the Stéphanois colors. From then on, the match took a different turn. Les Verts calmly managed their lead. They could have even increased the score several times with a bit more success. Claude Puel’s men watched the halves and the minutes pass by without being able to react. The Gym can no longer manage it and logically surrendered 1-0 at the end of a dull encounter.
In the standings, Nice is now 13th, solidly stuck in the middle of the pack. A disappointment for a group that did not lack ambition at the start of the season. Struggling without their striker Dario Cvitanich, Nice also suffers mentally. The grit and fighting spirit seen throughout last season have completely disappeared. A worrying state of failure for Claude Puel. He, the winner, the fighter.
In the next match, the eaglets will travel to Lorient’s pitch. A team in full renewal after a difficult start to the season. The Bretons are fresh from a spectacular 4-0 victory at Evian. And then, it will be the derby against Monaco…
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
