We can therefore occupy the forefront of Ligue 1 having only scored eleven goals in ten matches. This is the performance achieved by OGC Nice, new leader of the championship after its success in Clermont, Friday October 27 evening, at the opening of the tenth day.
The score ? 1-0, obviously. This is the preferential rate – the fourth time in six victories – for the Gym, the only club still undefeated, which is two lengths ahead of Monaco. The Principality’s players will, however, be able to regain their possessions in the event of a victory on Sunday in Lille. The reasons for this optimization of results can be found in the rigor of the Niçois who have only conceded four goals in total, and none in the last five matches.
Friday, the Aiglons – without Terem Moffi at kick-off, sitting on the bench in favor of Evann Guessand – should have already led before the end of the first period during which striker Gaëtan Laborde missed a penalty awarded logically for a foul by Alidu Seidu on Hicham Boudaoui (35th).
The former Montpellier, who sent the ball over, had already had a first clear opportunity in the 10th minute when his shot was captured by Clermont goalkeeper, Mory Diaw, after hitting the post.
“We were just suffocated.”
With an impeccable grid of the field and good collective organization, the team of the young Italian coach, Francesco Farioli, 34, made a strong impression in this first period, monopolizing the ball (63% possession) and neutralizing completely harmless opponents .
Clermont, despite a good reaction in the second half of the match, more balanced, only obtained two corners at the end of the match, and did not create any opportunity worthy of the name apart from a low shot from Habib Keita. outside the post in the 90th minute..
“We were simply suffocated,” admitted Clermont coach Pascal Gastien. “We took their pressure head on and, against such a team, it is difficult to get by (…) hadn’t seen such opposition in Ligue 1 for two years,” he added.
It was finally Hicham Boudaoui who found the opening in the second half for the Niçois, by taking back at point blank range a cross delivered from the left wing by Romain Perraud and slightly deflected by Andy Pelmard (74th). After the goal, Nice was again dangerous with a shot from Jeremie Boga diverted by Diaw who then intervened in front of Aliou Baldé in the continuity of the action (81st).
Clermont still relegated
At the end of the game, the Niçois, who only ended up on target five times compared to three for the Auvergnats, once again demonstrated their defensive solidity by resisting the pressure exerted by their opponents until the end.
“We had analyzed the Clermont team and its qualities well,” declared Francesco Farioli, who appreciated the “solidity” and “discipline” of his team, which is four points ahead of third-placed Paris Saint-Germain. his trip to Brest on Sunday.
For their part, the Clermontois, who remain relegated to seventeenth place with five points, were unable to confirm their victory acquired in Lyon last Sunday. They still haven’t won at home this season.