Technically deficient, OGC Nice suffered another setback on Sunday afternoon in Montpellier (1-0). And there is reason to worry, as Éric Roy’s men are more than ever in trouble at the start of the season.
Nice was defeated by Montpellier this Sunday, at the Stade de la Mosson (1-0). Despite undeniable goodwill, Éric Roy’s players showed worrying technical shortcomings.
Against the Héraultais leader of Ligue 1, there’s no room for error. In the game, René Girard’s men literally suffocated their opponents, as exemplified by Geoffrey Dernis, active in the first half.
Passive in defense, the Azuréens can thank David Ospina. The Colombian goalkeeper, recovered from a thumb injury, showed great assurance on numerous occasions.
A penalty ignored
Although the lieutenants of President Louis Nicollin dominated their opponents, they came very close, very close to disaster.
Xavier Pentecôte, jostled by Hilton in the box (26th minute), should have been awarded a penalty. But referee Lionel Jaffredo remained unmoved, much to the dismay of the Nice supporters.
In the second half, the Aiglons were too frail to find an opening. And when the crossbar thwarted the efforts of Guié-Guié and Pejcinovic, Éric Roy could only tear his hair out!
To make matters worse, Montpellier sealed the fate of the match by finally capitalizing on their chances. The shot by the “super-sub,” Souleymane Camara, beat Ospina, a quarter of an hour before the end.
The Héraultais confirmed their status as the surprise team of the championship. They steal the top spot from Olympique Lyonnais, the former provisional leader.
OGC Nice, on the other hand, remains stuck at the bottom of the standings. The only good news of the evening: the confirmation of Éric Roy as coach.
