A new defeat marks the sixth consecutive disappointment for the team from Nice, who seem unable to pull through, even at home. The match was almost over by halftime, with the first half entirely in favor of the team from the Rock.
From the very start of the match, it was Ranieri’s men who set the pace, and almost logically, Rodriguez came to crucify Veronese after only six minutes of play (0-1). It couldn’t have started worse for the team from Nice, which was unable to react. It was the team from Monaco that continued to press the defense from Nice, which held out only until the 23rd minute with a magnificent leap from Rivière, who seemed to be suspended in the air for a moment, placing a remarkable header beyond the reach of the Nice goalkeeper (0-2).
Claude Puel’s protégés then came out of their shell, and it took two superb interventions from the Monaco goalkeeper, Subasic, to prevent the home team from pulling one back in the first half. Rivière, well served by Rodriguez, was very close to doubling his lead, but his attempt went just over Veronese’s goals. They returned to the locker room with a well-deserved lead for the red-and-white neighbors.
Back from the locker rooms, Honorat replaced Abriel to provide some support to Cvitanich, but again it was the team from Monaco and Rodriguez who appeared dangerous, though the latter’s shot went just past the Nice post. Amavi then replaced Eysseric, but the rare incursions from Nice were hardly dangerous for the red-and-white defense. Once more it was Rodriguez who threatened, but Veronese was alert and had to intervene twice to prevent this latest opportunity from becoming a third goal.
Ranieri also made his changes by bringing in Ocampos and Germain in place of Martiel and Rivière. The minutes ticked away, but there were still no clear chances for the “Aiglons.” And as if the cup wasn’t full yet, it was finally Ocampos who capitalized on a mistake by Bodmer to beat Veronese and score into the empty goal (0-3). The two minutes of added time changed nothing, and it was a sixth consecutive defeat concluding a derby controlled head and shoulders by the players from the principality.
For Nice, this new disappointment is certainly unwelcome before a trip that is always tricky to Reims next Saturday at 8 PM, but don’t they say that a wounded beast is much more dangerous? It remains to be seen if these “Aiglons” will manage to stop this formidable downward spiral they are caught in, and hopefully, the next two home games (Sochaux 12/14 and Evian 12/21) will fill Santa’s sack with points…
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