Despite a stellar performance from David Ospina, OGC Nice was defeated at the very end of the match against Montpellier (0-1), thanks to a goal from Olivier Giroud, during the 21st day of the Ligue 1 championship.
The situation is becoming increasingly critical for René Marsiglia’s players. Dominated from A to Z by a much more incisive Montpellier team, Nice was logically defeated by the Hérault team (0-1) in stoppage time. The Niçois lost a position in the standings and are now in 19th place in Ligue 1, tied on points with Ajaccio, who are visiting Valenciennes this afternoon (kick-off at 5 PM).
René Girard’s men were simply ahead. Despite a balanced first quarter between the two teams, Montpellier gradually took control of the game and imposed their rhythm. As early as the 11th minute, following a corner from Cabella, Estrada challenged the Nice defense with a superb volley. David Ospina produced a magnificent save. The first of many. A few minutes later, the Aiglons lost their captain Didier Digard to a right hamstring injury. The former Parisian was replaced by Camel Meriem (19th minute).
Montpellier became increasingly dangerous and settled in the Nice half. Kevin Anin, starting for his first match in red and black, tackled Geoffrey Dernis in the box. The Montpellier midfielder fell. Indisputable foul for Saïd Ennjimi, the referee of the match. Olivier Giroud, Ligue 1’s top scorer, was tasked with taking the penalty… However, David Ospina, the Azurian goalkeeper, once again made a world-class save and allowed his team to remain at 0-0 (30th minute). The Aiglons then began to look dangerous, particularly thanks to Franck Dja Djédjé who forced Jourdren to make a good save himself, following a poor clearance by Hilton (34th minute). 0-0 at the break between the two teams.
Ospina delays the inevitable
Right at the start of the second half, Kevin Anin gave way to young Cyril Hennion (47th minute). Just like the right-back, Diecko Fofana, the CFA 2 player came into play and made his first appearance in the top league. The Azurians failed to raise their game level in the second half. On the contrary, the defense was overwhelmed and Renato Civelli’s teammates could only rely on their last defense, the Colombian goalkeeper.
In the 51st minute, Giroud, in the center, attempted a strike but it was once again magnificently deflected by the Nice goalkeeper. Eight minutes later, the international goalkeeper deflected the ball again on a close-range strike by Cabella. Meanwhile, the Aiglons lost their right-back Fofana to injury, “a slight knee sprain” according to their coach René Marsiglia. Montpellier did not give up, as evidenced by Estrada hitting the crossbar from a very well-taken free kick at 30 meters. On replay, it’s clear once again that it was David Ospina who deflected the shot…
Nice was sinking and completely dominated by René Girard’s men. The Nice coach’s players then circulated the ball, satisfied with the point secured against the current second in the championship. But that didn’t account for the determination of the Hérault team. On a final breakthrough by Bocaly, Giroud, all alone, received the ball and fired a missile toward the Nice goal. Ospina touched the ball but had to admit defeat this time (90th minute). A last-gasp victory for Montpellier, allowing them to stay in PSG’s wake (victorious 1-0 on Brest’s pitch).
René Marsiglia: “Congratulations to Montpellier”
The Azurian coach, René Marsiglia, had to acknowledge Montpellier’s superiority himself: “Without wanting to offend my team, we must admit that without David (Ospina)’s multiple saves, the score could have been much heavier. There are nights when you simply have to congratulate the opponent and acknowledge their superiority. Montpellier plays with much more confidence. It’s what we lack and what made the difference between the two teams tonight.”
Even the Nice goalkeeper, the unfortunate hero of the night, had to face the reality: “There was a great Montpellier team against us and considering how the match unfolded, we didn’t deserve much… Managing to escape with a point would already have been miraculous,” the Colombian confessed.
OGC Nice now has to refocus and prepare as best as possible for their semi-final against Marseille on Wednesday in the Coupe de la Ligue. A crucial week for the Aiglons, who will then visit Ajaccio, a direct rival for survival, on Saturday night for the 22nd day of the championship.
