OGC Nice endures a seventh consecutive defeat. A sad streak confirmed by a loss on the field of Reims at the very end of the match (1-0). It has become a habit for a team weakened mentally, powerless against the negative spiral.
For this match, Claude Puel decided to innovate with a 3-5-2 formation. Genevois, Pejcinovic, and Bodmer occupied the central defense axis. A novel tactic that disrupted the Reims team during the first half. Nice was comfortable and created a few chances. Without being particularly dangerous, the Aiglons showed better form compared to their recent matches.
Stade de Reims, sharper on the counterattack, should nevertheless have been awarded a penalty for a handball by Kolodziejczak in the box. Apart from this contentious action, Hubert Fournier’s men did not manage to trouble Lucas Véronese until that fateful 93rd minute. Like in previous matches, the Nicois, without being transcendent, failed to capitalize on their few opportunities. Dario Cvitanich, silent for 4 matches, symbolizes this offensive block. Behind, Bruins, Digard, and Bauthéac could not take over from the Argentine, imprecise in front of goal.
And, as if it were inevitable, while the Reims crowd was taunting their own team, OGC Nice conceded a goal at the worst possible moment. Charbonnier used his instep to beat Veronese in the very last second of the match. Just minutes before, Eysseric saw his deflected shot go narrowly past Agassa’s goal. Nice is knocked out, much like Claude Puel, incredulous, dejected, in the face of the cruelty that football can sometimes be.
17th in Ligue 1, the club from the Riviera no longer knows how to get out of this nightmare. Next Saturday, the Aiglons will face Sochaux at the Allianz Riviera in a match that will be fraught with fear. An opportunity to get a breath of fresh air a few weeks before the end of the first half of the season.
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