After a frustrating first half, OGC Nice took the lead over Nantes thanks to a goal from Jรฉrรฉmie Boga. The Eagles recorded their second victory of the season and moved to the top of the lower half of the Ligue 1 table before their Europa League entry on Thursday.
The Allianz Riviera was expecting a reaction after the setback suffered at Le Havre. The team from Nice delivered this Saturday against FC Nantes during the fourth round of Ligue 1. This victory (1-0) ends a series of seven matches without a win against the Canaries. It also allows Nice to climb the Ligue 1 standings with six points.
The game was expected to be balanced on paper. Both teams had shown the same record before kickoff: one win and two losses. But the Eagles quickly took control of the match. As early as the second minute, Kevin Carlos forced Anthony Lopes to make a reflex save. The tone was set: Nice was determined to reassure itself.
The Nantes goalkeeper delayed the inevitable for a long time. In his 400th Ligue 1 appearance, Anthony Lopes made several decisive saves. Hicham Boudaoui and Sofiane Diop saw their attempts denied. Diop even hit the post in the 22nd minute. Meanwhile, Nantes only troubled Yehvann Diouf on rare occasions, notably through Johann Lepenant and Hyun-Seok Hong.
At halftime, the score remained goalless (0-0). Nice had the majority of possession (almost 60%) and the key scoring opportunities, but lacked precision in the final move to convert those chances.
Jรฉrรฉmie Boga rewards the teamwork
The game opened up after the break. In the 56th minute, Jรฉrรฉmie Boga made the difference. Launched from the center circle, the Ivorian forward outpaced the Nantes defense and defeated Anthony Lopes, who had been imperial with a cross-shot. A relieving goal for the supporters and his teammates.
OGC Nice could have increased the score. Terem Moffi, who came on at the hour mark, challenged the Nantes goalkeeper with a header. Isak Jansson and Malvin Bard also tested their luck, but the Nantes goalkeeper once again prevented the second goal. Until the end, Nantes hoped for an equalizer. Anthony Lopes even came forward for a corner during stoppage time, but his Nice counterpart secured it with his fists.
This victory is significant for Nice. It ends a black series against Nantes that began in January 2022. The Eagles had not beaten the Canaries for over three years.
This result brings confidence ahead of the European week. Nice is indeed preparing to host AS Roma for its Europa League entry. The objective is clear: build on this victory to approach the continental competition with ambition.
Nice, on the other hand, benefited from the return of Dante. The Brazilian captain played his first match of the season and provided stability to the defense. His experience will be invaluable at a time when several players are missing, especially in the defensive sector.
Jรฉrรฉmie Boga’s performance also confirms the key role the winger can play. His dribbling and effectiveness made the difference in a long tight match.
With this success, OGC Nice moves from 12th to 9th place in the standings with six points now. A move that doesn’t change everything but allows for breathing room after a hesitant start to the season. The upcoming series of matches will be crucial. Besides Europe, Nice will face Brest away next Saturday, then host Paris FC in two weeks.
The Riviera club will thus need to maintain this level of intensity. The dynamic has been reignited, but the road is still long. The stated goal is to quickly integrate the top third of the standings and maintain a European spot over the long term.
The supporters, meanwhile, were able to savor this victory. Chants accompanied the final whistle. A sign that the connection between the team and the public is strengthening. After a shaky start, the team from Nice regains confidence and the stability it had lacked.
