Nice extend unbeaten run with slender victory

OGC Nice 1-0 Toulouse FC

THE MATCH

Creativity and excitement was in short supply in the first-half. Toulouse started with a high tempo but after an early spell of pressure, Nice took control of the pace of the game, but struggled to do anything with their possession. 

Toulouse were well set-up and Les Aiglons struggled to break through the first line of the press, resulting in the match being played almost exclusively between Pablo Rosario and Dante for long periods. 

Moffi back on the scoresheet

Whilst Nice enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession, it was Toulouse who went closest through a Vincent Sierro free-kick that flew just the wrong side of Marcin Bulka’s left-hand post (32′). 

It took 37 minutes for Nice to just get a shot off at goal and it came through Gaëtan Laborde, whose header dribbled harmlessly well wide of Guillaume Restes’ goal. The game livened up after the break. Alexis Claude-Maurice’s introduction brought a renewed and much-needed energy to Nice’s midfield and within just minutes of the restart, Les Aiglons were ahead. 

After winning the ball high, Melvin Bard broke down the left, keeping Morgan Sanson, whose ball across goal was finished by the thankful Terem Moffi (53′), who up to that point had been a mere by-stander. 

That was Moffi’s first goal since mid-September and having got on the scoresheet, his confidence flowed once more. He was involved once again as Nice broke, he fed Jordan Lotomba, whose shot was well saved by Restes, who got low and got a strong hand to the Swiss defender’s driven shot (60′). 

Toulouse almost end Nice’s run

No team has found it easy to score against Nice so far this season but Toulouse went close late on. Ibrahim Cissoko’s shot was goal bound and had beaten Bulka, but not Khéphren Thuram, whose goal-line clearance (80′) maintained Nice’s slender advantage. 

Mikkel Desler then had to clear a shot off Toulouse’s goal-line. Dante rolled back the years as he burst forward and was involved in a neat interchange with Evan Guessand, whose shot beat Restes, but not the retreating Desler (86′). 

Marcin Bulka, who last conceded a goal 72 days ago, was not called into action often, but he was there when needed, palming César Gelabert’s curled effort around the post (90+2′). It was a nervy finish for Nice, but they held on to take the three points, which takes them to just one point of Ligue 1 Uber Eats leaders PSG. 

THE PLAYER: Dante

It was a true captain’s performance by the veteran defender. There were concerns about Nice’s defence given the absence of Jean-Clair Todibo through injury, however, those concerns ultimately weren’t well-founded. Few teams have pressed Nice so high and so intensely, and Dante’s passing, composure and footwork were tested throughout, but he was equal to the challenge, executing a flawless game. He almost got himself an assist when he rolled back the years and charged forward before teeing-up Guessand. The 40-year-old centre-back was as reassuring as ever and crucial for Nice once again.

THE STAT: 72

72 days and counting! Nice have not conceded a goal since 15th September when they conceded twice in a 3-2 victory over PSG. Farioli’s side, as well as having the tightest defence in Europe’s top five leagues having kept a clean sheet in their last eight games, they are also the only side to have not been beaten so far this season.

>> Scoresheet

>> Nice’s ‘commanDante’ going strong at 40