In daunting, almost unplayable conditions, OGC Nice managed to bring back a good draw (0-0) from Metz. The team continues its streak of four matches without defeat and remains in 8th place in Ligue 1. Next step, next Sunday, hopefully without snow, against Nantes.
In very difficult conditions, first rain, then snow, and finally an entirely white field by halftime, Nice struggled to develop their game. Although the team led in terms of ball possession, the first chance fell to the Lorraine side. Kevin Lejeune recovered a ball at the edge of the area and followed with a half-volley that grazed Mouez Hassen’s post (0-0, 5th minute). The fouls kept coming in this highly disorganized match. Bouna Sarr received a yellow card for a clumsy foul on Grégoire Puel.
There were no chances worth mentioning for Claude Puel’s men, who narrowly avoided a scare in the 26th minute. A superb save from Mouez Hassen was needed as Guirane Ndaw, oddly left unmarked in the box, headed towards goal. Just one shot from Nice, who struggled to impose their game. Only Mendy and Hult stood out in terms of ball recovery. In very challenging conditions, Nice often struggles, and it was once again the case this Saturday night.
The second half started with a 10-minute delay due to the pitch becoming unplayable because of the snowfall. Despite the weather being forecasted for days, no decision was made to advance the match time, which is hard to understand. Even worse, the orange balls planned for snow conditions were not delivered by the League… On a more than complicated pitch, with a fluorescent yellow ball that no one could see, it was practically a parody of football between the two teams. Claude Puel decided to change his plans. Before the hour mark, Thioub and Maupay came on in place of Bosetti and Carlos Eduardo, who had barely seen the ball.
Nothing noteworthy except for the 73rd minute. After a tackle by Sylvain Marchal on Neal Maupay, Maupay pushed the Metz player back with a slight show of irritation. Marchal fell theatrically, and the referee showed a straight red card to the Nice forward. Very harsh. With the snow intensifying around the 75th minute, the playing conditions worsened further. Falcon tried his luck, but Puel, ever alert, deflected it for a corner (0-0, 77th minute). The only opportunity for Nice came from Hult, a strike that soared into the Metz sky.
“It’s difficult to play good football in these conditions. The referee decided to continue. Unfortunately, it was a sad spectacle. It’s good for us because we come back with a point. But it was a very difficult match, there was no gameplay, we couldn’t do anything, the ball was always slowed down,” lamented Souleymane Diawara to BeInSports.
No clear chances for Nice, no shots on target either, but a good point brought back from Lorraine. With an 11-point cushion from the relegation zone, the Aiglons are definitely looking upwards. The home match against Nantes and the away game at Lille could turn Nice into a serious contender for the Top 6. Wait and see.
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
