Still as united and generous in their play, Sochaux secures a second consecutive victory and also relinquishes their position at the bottom of the table. Unable to disrupt the Sochaux defense, OGC Nice loses an important battle in Doubs in the quest for survival. This victory gives FCSM a bit of breathing room and confidence. In the standings, they are now level with Nice and two points away from exiting the relegation zone. Conversely, Nice returns from their trip to Doubs empty-handed and in a relegation position in the standings.
Butin just before halftime and Martin after the hour mark were enough to defeat a Nice team that lacked energy and success in one of the first must-not-lose games, especially against a direct competitor for relegation with the previous day’s results favoring other threatened teams.
With Dja Djé-Djé and Meriem in the starting line-up, the Nice team was the first to threaten with a beautiful attempt by Monzon swirling around the Sochaux area. However, bit by bit, Eric Hely’s side began to settle in the Nice camp, multiplying their attacks. And what was bound to happen did, unfortunately at the worst moment, just before halftime. Sauget’s cross was as magnificent as Boudebouz’s control. The latter passed to Nogueira, who crossed the ball in front of the goal for a near-post deflection by Butin, right under Gomis’ nose. Sochaux went into the locker room pleased with their accomplished work.
Same players took the field in the second half, with Nice trying to appear threatening with attempts by Dja Djé-Djé and Monzon on free kicks, but the ball never found the back of the Doubs net. Ospina intervened on a beautiful free kick by Boudebouz, while Sochaux seemed to take control of the game. The second warning came in the 68th minute when Marvin Martin entered the box, eliminated Clerc, and curled a shot that Ospina couldn’t stop. The game seemed decided for the red and black side, although not without another brilliant save by the Nice goalkeeper, who with a remarkable hand stopped it from being 3-0.
A tough evening for the Nice team, who now have to look forward to a southern derby against an Olympique de Marseille, who also had a bad evening losing at the Vélodrome to Dijon.
When luck isn’t on your side…
