Defeated in Monaco on Saturday, OGC Nice hasn’t lost everything this weekend thanks to the slip-ups of its competitors. Before hosting Marseille on Sunday, Nice is third in Ligue 1.
Dirar was sent off just after the break for an altercation with the referee, and Nice truly believed they could become PSG’s runner-up on Saturday. However, the Aiglons were not able to dominate an AS Monaco reduced to 10 men. Worse, with the score at 0-0 at halftime, Claude Puel’s men faltered in the second half and conceded a goal despite their numerical advantage. While the Classic delivered on all its promises last night in Marseille (OM 1-2 PSG), this Monaco-Nice derby did not meet expectations. Too tense and inhibited by the stakes for second place, both teams failed to display technical accuracy. Or not enough. Or only in bits and pieces. In short, not in the way the public might have hoped for from the 22 players in such a match.
The truth is that Monaco, playing with 10 against 11, showed a realism that Jardim is known for. One chance, from a set-piece, and Bakayoko granted victory to his team. In goal, Subasic also made a significant difference with several key saves late in the match when Nice’s attacks came in waves. Yet, the red and black team realized too late the importance of squandering this result under such circumstances. Too often in the first half of the season, Nice missed opportunities to move up the podium. Finally securing a spot on it, it was the second position that burned under the Niçois’ feet.
But in this Ligue 1 weekend, where top-half clashes were plentiful, Nice didn’t lose everything. Last night, for example, Marseille couldn’t overturn Paris and suffered defeat. Angers, in fourth place and only two points behind, couldn’t move ahead, being outclassed by Lyon (0-3). Caen also lost at home to Reims and remains three points behind. Meanwhile, Lyon and Saint-Etienne (victorious 4-1 in Bordeaux) are waking up. OGC Nice will have to wait until the very last match days to face those teams. Before that, the match against OM on Sunday appears crucial to keep the Phoenicians at a distance. Will Ben Arfa and the beautiful game open the doors to Europe for Nice this season? The verdict will come in the coming weeks…
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