Nice continues to struggle away from home. Traveling to Toulouse, the Eaglets were defeated by the smallest of margins, 1 to 0. In a match lacking great excitement, OGC Nice never found the solution and left the stadium empty-handed as expected. A disappointment given recent performances.
OGC Nice did it again. Like in the match at Nantes, the Eaglets appeared fragile, losing momentum and lacking aggression. A recurring syndrome away from home for now. Several players performed below their level, and Dario Cvitanich could not save appearances and the team’s performance in this match. Less conspicuous, the Argentine had few balls to work with, and his connection with Brŭls, undoubtedly Nice’s best player yesterday, did not function as well.
Under pressure with every Toulouse attack, Nice’s defense seemed shaky and nervous, epitomized by a Kolodziejczak overwhelmed during Toulouse’s opening goal. From a well-delivered cross by Sylla, Ben Yedder calmly headed the ball in under the watchful eyes of a spectator-like Kolodziejczak, beating Ospina. It was the 34th minute, and Nice was logically trailing. A few minutes earlier, Aurier and Ben Yedder could have opened the scoring if not for a good Ospina and with a bit more precision in front of the goal.
Claude Puel’s men did not respond in this match. Stunned, the Eaglets managed only a few rare chances without being able to get back into the game. Despite this, Traoré could have equalized with a volley in the box well saved by Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Ahamada. Claude Puel won’t have much to take away from this trip except the lack of freshness in his men and the sudden change in attitude shown in some matches.
In front of the press, the coach surprisingly expressed satisfaction, even calling it “the best away match.” Let’s hope OGC Nice’s internal discussions are different to address the numerous negative points. One thing is sure, Nice missed the chance to climb onto the podium and simultaneously cast doubt on its ability to finish in the top 10 of the championship by season’s end. A doubt to be quickly dissipated during the international break, before facing Marseille in a match for regional supremacy.
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
