We were expecting a tightly contested derby between OGC Nice and AS Monaco. It was uncertain. A fierce match. A high-level encounter. Two good teams faced off. Two different styles. Monégasque technique versus Niçois quickness: merely a confirmation and not a surprise. The Eaglets are used to thwarting ASM. The match would be decided by details. And once again, that was the case.
The eighth minute changed the complexion of the match. Baky Koné, the Niçois forward, was stopped in the area by Monégasque goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz. Eric Poulat, the match referee, didn’t hesitate for a second and pointed to the penalty spot. Justified or not? Opinions are divided. Baky Koné described the action: “I came face to face with Warmuz. I tried to dodge him. I touched him and then I fell on my neck and don’t remember what happened after.” Even dazed, the Ivorian attacker from Nice must have heard the roar of the supporters when David Bellion caught the Monégasque goalkeeper off-guard. The first turning point of the match.
The second turning point occurred in the 41st minute. An outswinging corner for Monaco taken by Manuel Dos Santos. Excellently struck, it met François Modesto’s header at the near post. The ball fell into the top corner of Damien Grégorini’s net. The Stade du Ray held its breath. Time stood still. The Niçois supporters shut their eyes, anxious, praying, and hoping for a miracle. Meanwhile, Monégasque fans prepared to rejoice, celebrating prematurely… It was Damien Grégorini who tells what happened next: “I saw Modesto’s header heading into the net. I dove but didn’t think I had it. I managed to deflect it with the tips of my fingers and turned it out for a corner.” Damien, the miracle worker, pulled off a feat that barely masked the temperate and sober Niçois goalkeeper. His reach on that action was astonishing. This save was majestic and especially crucial. It came minutes before halftime while Nice was leading 1-0. A goal from Guidolin’s men then could have changed the entire match. Monaco played very well.
Monaco failed to capitalize on their clear chances in the first 45 minutes, either meeting resistance from the red and black’s guardian of the goal or showing clumsiness as seen in the action of Marco Di Vaio in the 10th minute where, unmarked at six yards, benefiting from laxness of the Gym’s central defense, he misdirected his shot that ended just wide of Grégorini’s right post. A grievous misstep for the ASM’s Italian striker.
The second act of the game was marked by a fruitless domination by the players from the Rock who failed to create any real chances. The Eaglets waited, watching for their prey’s mistake to deliver the final and fatal blow. The inevitable penalty was delayed. Twice David Bellion, either overly self-confident or selfish, failed in the counterattack. Then it was Sébastien Roudet, just in from the bench, who slightly misjudged his pass to Ederson in a move that could have been a replay of the famous 88th minute which could have sent them to the Stade de France.
The Monégasque beast was wounded, staggering, and the death blow happened in the 78th minute. The counter was perfect, and its climax ecstatic for the 11,000 Niçois supporters: Florent Balmont released Baky Koné. The number 12 red and black accelerated, outpacing Sébastien Squillacci and, from the edge of the box, unleashed a powerful shot, slightly touched by Guillaume Warmuz, that found the back of the net. Nice was ahead 2-0. The game was won. The Eaglets garnered three more points and continued their excellent series. The exact opposite for the Monégasques. Dejected, defeated, and resigned, they watched their opponents of the day surpass them in the rankings. OGC Nice by the evening of the 27th day was the top team from the Azure coast. Should they win in Marseille in eight days, the Gym could become the top team in the Mediterranean. Gradually, the Eaglets emerge from their shells and build their nest. In contrast, the Monégasques are struggling.
