OGC Nice won by the smallest of margins against a struggling and uninspired Sochaux team. This precious victory came after a record streak of 7 consecutive defeats. With this success, Nice gains some breathing room both psychologically and in the standings before hosting Evian.
The evening started with a strike from the popular South stand, angry about the incarceration of one of their own after the incidents in the stands against Saint-Etienne. The ultras entered the stands 15 minutes after the kick-off began.
On the field, the technical and mental level was low. The stress due to the standings of both teams was felt in the game. Despite the pressure, Nice still managed to open the scoring just before the half-hour mark. Eric Bautheac connected with a cross from Bodmer with a left-footed volley, freeing his team and the whole stadium. Nice led 1 to 0 but were not reassured.
The second half would prove it. Unable to double the lead, Claude Puel’s men withdrew for fear of conceding a goal, which would mean a bad result. But the weakness of the Sochaux team greatly helped the Azurรฉens. Renard’s men never really managed to approach David Ospina’s goal, who was back from injury and in form, judging by his reassuring aerial interventions.
Propping up the bottom of Ligue 1, Sochaux will have a hard time escaping if the players continue to deliver the same type of performance in every match. Nice took advantage of their opponent’s apathy to win a match where only the result was assured. The manner will have to wait for the red and black side. The situation demanded a result, and ultimately, the content of the match mattered little. Furthermore, Nice won’t break the club’s record of consecutive defeats. A sign? In the standings, OGC Nice is positioned at 15th place, 9 points away from the first relegation spot.
The Coupe de la Ligue match on Wednesday against Sochaux at the Allianz Riviera might be the much-awaited reference game that everyone hopes for, and this before hosting Evian on Saturday for another three-point operation on Nice soil…
A week to perk up indeed!
Photo credit and more info on www.ogcnice.com
