Nice supporters are beginning to believe in a bad habit, and once again, in the last minutes of play, Montpellier takes the top spot after a victory sealed by Giroud in the 83rd minute of the game. The upcoming Monegasque derby will be worth its weight in points at the Louis II Stadium.
Tough times for a tough result. The roughly 7000 spectators who finally braved the Breton weather currently hovering over Ligue 1, both on the standings and in the sky, eventually returned home dampened and chilled by another defeat of their favorites at the Ray, leaving them 15th in the standings, two points away from the first relegation spots with Valenciennes, Monaco, Lens, and Arles Avignon each having a game to play.
The first half was of little interest in terms of offensive animation and defensive caution displayed by each team. An initial attempt by Stambouli caught by Ospina in two moves, who then replicated with a brilliant save on a new shot from Marveaux, and the match was on. And when it’s not the Nice goalkeeper intervening, it’s Renato Civelli stepping in with two fine interventions on attempts by Ait-Fana and Katbze. On the Nice side, not much to mention with a header from Mouloungui well-managed by Jourdren, two free-kicks into the wall by Mounier, and Coulibaly, who nearly tricked the Hรฉrault goalkeeper in the very last seconds with a delightful 30-meter strike heading for the nets. At halftime, a scoreless and uninspiring draw.
Eric Roy then sends in Ben Saada and Potรฉ in place of Mouloungui and Sablรฉ, and the rain remains ever-present, not aiding in proper ball circulation and much less precise control. The Nice players attempt to animate the game, but the speedy attempts by the lively Ben Saada and the clever distribution of a sharp Ljuboja are not enough to break through a Montpellier defense that isn’t at the top of Ligue 1 for nothing. It’s once again Opina who has to intervene in the 72nd minute on a shot from Dernis. It finally seems that a draw wouldn’t be such a bad outcome against a well-grouped block that becomes more dangerous at every counterattack opportunity.
Newcomers for Nice and Montpellier, Bagayoko, and Giroud try to tip the balance in the last quarter-hour of play, still equally wet in terms of weather. Both protagonists set the tone immediately with a breakthrough by Giroud stopped by Civelli and a fine header from Bagayoko that goes over the opponent’s goals. But besides the rain, it was said that the shower would indeed be cold this Saturday night at the Ray since, in the 83rd minute, Renรฉ Girard’s coaching proves successful with Giroud’s perfect header, who scores his sixth goal of the season, propelling his team to the top of the standings. A heavy blow, the cup is full for the Nice team, and the closing minutes won’t change anything for both formations who will head to dry off, while only the eaglets return “dry.” More regrets ahead of two perilous derbies, next Saturday in Monaco and the following week at the Ray against Olympique de Marseille.
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