Without its supporters (match behind closed doors), OGC Nice falls 2-1 to Guingamp. Defensively worrying and uninspired in play, the Gym finds itself under the increasingly pressing threat of the relegation zone. The trips to Lyon and then the home game against Evian will already be decisive matches.
Let’s not lie to ourselves; there’s cause for concern. The numbers speak for themselves: four consecutive defeats and seven matches in a row without a win. As a result, the relegation zone is ever closer, especially after a day where Lens will face Toulouse and Lorient-Caen. We’ve gone from orange alert to dark orange alert.
They say: “don’t change a winning team.” After three consecutive defeats and three suspensions, Claude Puel was forced to modify his team. Mathieu Bodmer, returning from injury, takes his place in central defense. A surprise move with the starting of Vincent Koziello in midfield. Up front, Maupay, who showed promise in Bastia, continues his stint in attack, forcing Plea to move to the right.
The match begins with a refereeing error… to change things up. Vincent Koziello, starting instead of Niklas Hult, breaks into the box and is stopped irregularly by Sorbon (2nd minute). Mr. Millot doesn’t flinch and asks the young midfielder to get up. Nice scares itself after the tenth minute with Sankoh’s header caught on the line by Hassen. The Eagles dominate possession and create chances through Carlos Eduardo (16th minute) and Plea (29th minute). The biggest chance of the match comes for Guingamp. Giresse’s shot is touched by the Nice goalkeeper and then cleared at the last second by Bodmer on the line (31st minute). Nothing more at the end of the first half except Neal Maupay’s energy forcing Lössl into a decisive save.
Claude Puel’s men start the second half in the worst possible way. The Nice defense is static; Lemaître on the left takes advantage to cross and finds Mandanne’s head, who is alone between Bodmer and Amavi (49th minute, 0-1). Nice responds perfectly to a gross mistake by the Breton goalkeeper. Neal Maupay, fighting hard, finds Carlos Eduardo who, with a precise cross, serves Eric Bauthéac. The left midfielder deceives the opposing goalkeeper with an unstoppable shot (57th minute, 1-1). But right after, the Eagles are caught off guard. A great Hassen is needed to repel a shot after a fast-paced counterattack. Nice breaks on the next action. On the left, Amavi lets Pied cross. The entire defense’s passivity allows Mandanne to take advantage and double the score (61st minute, 1-2). Nice’s defect, offensive efficiency, is felt. Despite 13 shots, the Gym only hits the target twice, too little to hope for more. Twice, Lössl comes close to being punished, but the Nice attack doesn’t capitalize.
“Yes, we are worried. We only score one goal from an opponent’s mistake. We concede two goals, lower our heads, and go home. We weren’t aggressive enough; we’re lacking drive offensively. We need to find motivation ourselves,” says Eric Bauthéac on BeInSports’ microphone.
Nice suffers its sixth home defeat of the year, greatly worrying specialists and supporters. Four days after the tragedy that cost Camille Muffat her life, a moving tribute was paid to her, but a victory in her honor would have been even more beautiful. Work, questioning, and an urgent need for points will be on the agenda for the Gym in the coming week.
Photo credit and more information on www.ogcnice.com
