For the 31st day of the Ligue Magnus, the Eagles of Nice traveled to Marseille. The last match of 2024 turned into a nightmare.
This end of 2024 has been particularly challenging. On a streak of four consecutive defeats, the Niçois were traveling to the Phocaean city. With an underperforming offense in December (seven goals in seven matches), the Eagles were not the favorites tonight.
Yet it was indeed the visitors who opened the scoring at the very start of the game. After barely a minute of play, Marek Sloboda, already a scorer last week, took advantage of the good work by Teemu Loizeau and Luka Kalan to score his sixth goal of the season. This early goal stung the Marseillais into action. Conrard Molder was put to the test upon his return to the Eagles’ goal. But in the eighth minute he had to concede to a shot by Jan Dufek (1-1). The Spartans kept pressing and created numerous opportunities. The Marseillais scorer turned into a passer for Cédric Desruisseaux at the quarter-hour mark (2-1). Marseille logically led at the break.
Back from the break, the Marseillais continued to pressure Conrad Molder’s goal. The locals gained a numerical advantage after a defensive mistake and took advantage with a goal by Alexandre Boivin. It seemed the task was becoming more complicated for the Niçois but against the run of play, Teemu Loizeau reduced the gap (3-2). The trio involved in the first goal was once again involved in the second. But it wasn’t enough. Two minutes later, Yohan Coulaud managed to beat the Maralpin goalkeeper (4-2). Marseille kept up the pressure at home but was surprised a third time. Luka Kalan, already a double passer, once again cut the deficit while on a power play just before the break, renewing suspense.
No miracle for the Eagles of Nice
In the third period, things became more complicated for the Eagles. Under pressure, Julien Msumbu committed a foul, leaving his teammates undermanned. The Spartans took advantage and secured the win thanks to Teddy Da Costa (5-3). Nice failed to pose any danger. Conrad Molder (40 saves) was besieged from all sides and eventually cracked twice. Paul Joubert and Maxence Leroux capped off the Marseillais victory (7-3). Ultimately, Nice hardly showed up in this match. However, they did display a newfound offensive efficiency given the few chances they created under Frantisek Stolc.
2024 ended quite poorly with this fifth consecutive defeat. The Eagles have a meeting next year with a first home match against Amiens. Two teams in great difficulty. They will need to react as the Eagles’ 7th place is now under serious threat from the competition! Here’s to the upcoming year.
