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A scenario worthy of a movie for the encounter between OGC Nice and Montpellier HSC. A very complicated first half for the “eaglets,” a second half showing a completely different face with the return to form of Mickaël Le Bihan and a lifesaving post in the very last moments of the match. Nice wins 2-1 and awaits Paris’ match to see if they will remain in second place on the podium.
The first half is anything but successful. That laughable goal as early as the 8th minute (Mounié) hurts the eaglets, who will have to chase the score. Not all issues can be blamed on Younes Belhanda, but the playmaker, missing Pléa and Balotelli, seems quite awkward in both the final and the penultimate move.
Donis also narrowly misses a chance, despite a beautiful inside foot effect. One can feel the weight of the first start for the young forward who makes efforts but is not rewarded.
To find reassurance, one needs to rely once again on Dante. Visionary in his defensive efforts, the Brazilian has also found some nice channels to relieve the team or create an imbalance. Obbadi further cements his place in the midfield alongside Seri and Cyprien. Pressing, anticipation, vision of the game—so many qualities that are not enough to stop a nearly two-minute protest during ball possession by the visitors.
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### A Second Half Worthy of the Niçois’ Status
The first ten minutes are incisive but toothless. The red and black put their heart into their work without having shooting opportunities. Everything changes with the entry of Mickaël Le Bihan after 17 months of absence. Wylan Cyprien lives up to his reputation as a cannonier with a shot that grazes the left post and sounds the Niçois revolt.
Eysseric gets the message. The method doesn’t matter as long as there’s a result. A failed one-two, a strong recovery, a pass inside the box to Le Bihan, and the gym is back level thanks to a low-corner shot.
What follows is not an offensive festival, but the Niçois lay it all on the table. Souquet repeatedly calls for the ball in a right lane that looks more like a boulevard. Baysse also advances to create an overload. Whether due to overcommitment or a desire to do well, Le Bihan tends to drift slightly to the right, often finding himself in a position to center rather than receive. Obbadi is the only one to head a cross toward Pionnier’s gloves.
Then comes the 85th minute. Souquet insists once again on his side but cuts into the axis rather than looking for a cross. His through pass inside the box finds Le Bihan, who doesn’t hesitate to propel the gym towards victory. One last scare with a Boudebouz free kick hitting the post, and the Eaglets can savor a victory earned with courage. No matter, the three points are once again secured (as was the case in Lorient last week), and the pressure is now on the shoulders of Paris and Monaco.
