Lens (AFP)

Brilliant in Marseille on Wednesday, Lens fell back into its failures, beaten by Nice (1-0) who finally won after a month of scarcity and doubts, Saturday during the 21st day of Ligue 1.

The Aiglons, who remained on three defeats and two draws, won thanks to a goal scored by Youcef Atal early in the second half (49th).

If they remain well below their ambitions, the Azuréens offer themselves some air, and provisionally one more place in the standings (13th, 26 points).

Three days after his success at the Vélodrome (1-0), RCL confirmed its current difficulties at home, where it has won only one of its last seven matches.

Franck Haise's players, however, remain seventh with 31 units on the clock, but could lose places at the end of Sunday's meetings.

The first period was quite closed with two teams well in place on both sides.

Lens and Nice timidly tried to create danger, but without really succeeding.

The only real opportunity was in favor of the Blood and Gold: after an overflow on the right side, Clément Michelin delivered a precise cross for the former Aiglon Ignatius Ganago, alone on the line of 5 meters 50, who sent his recovery of the head very far from the cage (31st).

- Atal scores and then gets injured -

As soon as the resumption, the Nice did not let their chance pass by opening the scoring on their first situation: served in the box by Kasper Dolberg, Atal eliminated an opposing defender before concluding with a clear strike from the left which went nestle in the opposite small net (0-1, 49th).

The Algerian international, who injured his right thigh on the action, had to leave his partners just after his goal.

The Artesians tried to react by being more offensive, but struggled to approach the goal of Walter Benitez, protected by a solid defense.

On one of RCL's rare forays into the box, Ganago collapsed after receiving a blow from Robson Bambu, but the referee, after consulting the VAR footage, decided not to whistle the penalty (64th ).

By dint of uncovering himself, Lens almost got punished against: thrown in the back of the defense, Amine Gouiri appeared alone against Jean-Louis Leca but his stung ball died just above the crossbar (71st).

Nice, however, managed to maintain its advantage without trembling too much against almost harmless Lensois.

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