Outplayed by Montpellier (0-0), the Nice team let two points slip away and missed the opportunity to widen the gap with Marseille, in third place, a week before a crucial match at the Vรฉlodrome.
Nice, reduced to 10 men for an hour, struggled in Montpellier but managed to secure a draw (0-0) which preserved their second place in Ligue 1 on Saturday during the 28th matchday. The Nice team, with Jordan Lotomba as a starter who played the entire match, went against the grain after their captain Dante was harshly sent off in the 35th minute, leading to a penalty being awarded. However, Tรฉji Savanier missed his Panenka and the Gym defended fiercely in the rain, settling for the draw.
But while this draw is the lesser of two evils for Nice, it hampers the positive momentum of the team from the French Riviera. They were qualified for the Coupe de France final and victorious against PSG last weekend in Ligue 1 (1-0). Swept away in Lyon (0-2) a month ago, and lackluster in Strasbourg (0-0), the Eagles are now struggling on the road, where they had previously displayed impressive prowess.
A week ahead of a highly anticipated match at the Vรฉlodrome stadium, Christophe Galtier’s team (50 points) could see Marseille (47 points) catch up as they travel to Brest on Sunday evening.
