OGC Nice hosted the Grenats for the 19th day of the championship, and it can be said that Farioli’s team delivered the essentials.
After a complicated restart against Rennes two weeks ago, the Aiglons saw their runner-up position threatened by Brest and Monaco, very close in the standings. Opposing them was a Metz team not in great form, having recorded five consecutive defeats in the top flight. Simply put, nobody is doing worse in Ligue 1 and the Messins logically currently sit in 15th place in the standings.
Minimum Requirement
Despite a clear statistical domination, with 70% possession and 6 shots on target versus none for their opponent, the Gym did not make a strong impression in the first half. Quite the opposite of Metz, who unsettled the locals with an offensive and rapid game, without being truly dangerous.
In the second half, it was the omnipresent Guessand who finally opened the scoring with a penalty he drew (76′). He did not waver as he took the shot, 1-0 for the Aiglons! Struggling, the Messins continued, against all odds, to aim for a draw, but the team from the Côte d’Azur was far too strong. The best defense in the championship secured another clean sheet and claimed a 6th consecutive home victory, another record for OGC Nice.
The Gym bounces back perfectly and is now 5 points behind PSG while putting Brest at a 4-point distance. On the other hand, the Grenats suffer their 6th consecutive defeat and edge closer to the relegation zone. The next outing for the Aiglons: next Sunday (5:05 PM) against… Brest. The battle for the podium is certainly promising to be exciting.
