Transformed since the defeat in Nantes (2-1), OGC Nice wins the Côte d’Azur derby against Monaco (1-0) thanks to a superb free kick by Carlos Eduardo. Aggressive, clean in their play, and united, the Aiglons deserve this victory and tonight stand at 8th place in the league with 13 points.
It had been six years since OGC Nice defeated AS Monaco at Louis-II, an eternity in football. Three losses in three matches against the rival last season. This year, the balance of power needed to shift. Only three days after the victory against Lille (1-0), which took its toll (Albert unavailable, players exhausted), Claude Puel had to make choices and field fresh players. He did not change the defense, which was very effective against Lille, but Hult replaced Albert, Grégoire Puel took the right midfield spot, and surprisingly, Alassane Pléa was preferred over Bosetti as the striker.
In front of sparsely filled stands (fewer than 9,000 spectators) due to exorbitant ticket prices (from €40 to €160), Nice started the match in the best possible way by being aggressive and pressing high against the players from the principality. In the 7th minute, from a free kick, Carlos Eduardo took responsibility from 25m from Subasic’s goal. His clear strike passed between two players in the wall and nestled in the bottom corner. The Nice stands erupted! The Brazilian, still finding his footing in this team, is progressing with each match and scored his first goal in red and black. The Monégasques responded in the 15th minute with a header from Kurzawa saved by Nampalys Mendy on the line, their only shot on target in the match. In the first half, Carlos Eduardo and Pléa impressed with their activity and movement.
“It was a great match from my team. We had to do it, resist in the first half, and be coherent with good organization in the second. We negotiated our two matches well against teams that play in Europe. The next match (against Montpellier, Saturday, October 4th at 8 p.m.) will be difficult, we won’t get carried away,” explained Claude Puel on OGC Nice’s official website.
In the second half, Nice continued to create chances, including Carlos Eduardo seeing his header go over and Grégoire Puel being the author of a beautiful but off-target shot. AS Monaco ended the match better than they started and should have been awarded a penalty for a foul by Amavi on Berbatov (72nd minute). Ten minutes later, Ferreira-Carrasco thought he had equalized, but Berbatov was flagged offside at the start of the play, allowing the Nice team to breathe a sigh of relief. Claude Puel’s men achieved a perfect week with 6 points earned against Lille and Monaco, now placing them in the Top 8. How far can OGC Nice go? The next meeting is next Saturday with the hosting of Montpellier.
Photo credits and more information on www.ogcnice.com
