End of an unbeaten streak at Allianz Riviera. Until now undefeated, OGC Nice was defeated on their home ground, 2 to 1, by a resurgent Bordeaux team. Non-existent throughout the game and dominated in ball possession, the “Aiglons” logically lost 3 points. Does this bode ill for the rest of the championship?
27,000 spectators turned out to see Nice extend their unbeaten home streak. From the stands, the excitement gave way to disappointment. In the first half, Nice took control but failed to create real chances. Bordeaux, well-positioned, could calmly anticipate the Nice attacks. Confident, the Bordeaux team opened the scoring with a superb strike from Sertic at the edge of the box. A logical scenario given Bordeaux’s territorial and technical domination after Nice’s promising start.
Stunned and unable to recover, Nice remained incapable of rallying. Bordeaux controlled the game, passing the ball around and showing disconcerting calm in managing crucial moments. At the start of the second half, Obraniak also scored with a superb shot into the top corner from 25 meters. Bordeaux had two chances and scored twice. Indeed, these two goals were fully deserved.
Claude Puel’s men were spectators, unable to bypass Bordeaux’s block. Towards the end of the match, a timid reaction developed. Fifteen minutes before the end, Alexy Bosetti was fouled in the box. The referee didn’t hesitate and awarded a logical penalty. Cvitanich converted it, allowing the “Aiglons” to make it 2 to 1. Everything was still possible, but the team projected a sense of helplessness. Without solutions and lacking in ball dynamics, Nice could have conceded a third goal if not for the Bordeaux attackers’ late-game clumsiness.
Bordeaux’s last away victory dated back to last season. Ironically, it was also against Nice. With this defeat, OGC Nice dropped to the second half of the standings before facing Paris Saint Germain away and hosting Saint-Etienne. Two difficult matches that the “Azuréens” might play without their goalkeeper Ospina, who left injured.
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
