0-0. Few chances between Nice and Sochaux. It was a closed match. Both teams decided to take no risks and to lock the match tightly. The Aiglons threw the key into the Paillon and the Lionceaux into the Doubs. The analysis of the match could stop here, disapproving of the abundance of 0-0 draws in the French championship and criticizing the defensive mindset of both coaches, Frédéric Hantz and Frédéric Antonetti. That would be limiting.
On Saturday evening at Stade du Ray, we saw two teams of a good level. On one side, Nice, 7th in the league, has been unbeatable at home for many months. The last two opponents (Saint-Etienne and Metz) had left the Côte d’Azur with three goals in their luggage. The Red and Black had combined offensive and defensive efficiency. On the other side, the Sochaux team could be considered easy prey given their ranking (17th). But this is deceptive. In seven away matches, the Doubs team has only lost once. It was at Valenciennes (3-1) back on August 25th. They took a point from Nancy and three from Rennes, two teams in good form in Ligue 1. Nice had a lot to contend with. Their opponents of the day had claws, with the desire to continue their upward movement in the standings. The Aiglons needed to be wary. They were physically weakened by the extra time played on Tuesday night in Auxerre in the Coupe de la Ligue round of 16. David Hellebuyck, suspended, Hugo Lloris, and Lilian Laslandes, injured, qualitatively weakened the Red and Black’s squad.
In the game, we will note for Nice a goal disallowed for Habib Bamogo in the 24th minute after he used his hand. We would also highlight the vigilance of Teddy Richert, the last line of defense for Sochaux, who managed to anticipate the deep calls of Baky Koné and Habib Bamogo each time. In a period with few chances, we must not forget an interesting raid by Ederson, illicitly stopped by Maxime Josse as the Brazilian was preparing to face Richert alone. For Frédéric Hantz’s men, the chances were more clear-cut. In the 34th minute, Lionel Létizi, the experienced replacement for Hugo Lloris, displayed his horizontal leap on a powerful header by Erding. In the 66th minute, Létizi repelled a shot from former Nice player Romain Pitau in two attempts. Three minutes before the end of the match, a curling shot by Julien Quercia grazed the left post of the Nice goalkeeper. The Aiglons, reduced to 10 after the harsh expulsion of Drissa Diakité, suffered in the last quarter-hour.
On the players’ side, special mentions go to the central defenders of both teams (Kanté-Hognon for Nice and Afolabi-Josse for Sochaux), and a very good mention to the defensive midfielders (Echouafni, Rool, and Balmont for Nice, Pitau, and N’Daw for Sochaux). Baky Koné, the main threat from the Azur region, was perfectly contained. Ederson lacked precision in his passes and choices, often preferring individual solutions and lacking the energy to optimize them. Habib Bamogo, Antonetti’s second offensive asset, appeared disorganized and lacking confidence. The boos from the Ray at his exit will not help him when he needs support the most.
In conclusion, a question: what do you prefer:
– a 0-0 with players well-positioned tactically, with secure technique, focused on building and relying on two excellent goalkeepers to seal any small cracks in the defense?
– or a 2-2 with technical errors, goalkeeper mistakes, and only balls shuttling between defense and attack without passing through midfield?
