Nice (AFP)

Metz won in Nice (2-1) Sunday afternoon on the 26th day of L1 and made a good operation in the race for Europe, while plunging his opponent of the day into the crisis.

Without making any noise, Metz is having a very good season.

Now 6th with 38 points, as many as Marseille, Rennes and Montpellier, but a better goal difference, Frédéric Antonetti's men will be able to end their season with greed.

Starting with their trip to Bordeaux, next Saturday.

On the other hand, OGC Nice continues its inexorable fall.

Without consistency, the men of President Jean-Pierre Rivère were beaten for the 13th time in L1 this season.

Worse, in 2021, the Aiglons lost seven out of ten matches.

With 29 points, a complete lack of confidence and many absent due to injury.

Seven major players were missing against Metz: Atal, Dante, Lotomba, Danilo, Lopes, Dolberg and Reine-Adelaide.

Suddenly, this team built to play Europe has only six small points ahead of 18th place, synonymous with a dam.

His next trip, Friday to Rennes, will be important.

And the reception in Nîmes, Wednesday March 3, will be very expensive for the maintenance.

- Superior Metz everywhere -

Metz built their victory in a perfect first half against a team in great difficulty and without reaction.

Quickly, Kiki Kouyaté opened the brand.

Like a center forward, he took over a center shot from the excellent Farid Boulaya (1-0, 15th).

After this goal, the Messins, superior in all areas, continued their work of undermining.

Following a new change of wing from Boulaya, Vagner served Matthieu Udol whose attempt was well taken out by Walter Benitez (17th).

The only Nice shot on target, by Pierre Lees-Melou (25th), did not change anything.

The defense, at bay, let its opponent do it.

Andy Pelmard let Udol center, Jean-Clair Todibo and William Saliba let Lamine Gueye score (2-0, 38 ').

After an abysmal half-time, Adrian Ursea's players still reacted.

Thanks to Amine Gouiri, authorized to play at the last minute after a final negative test for Covid-19.

The ex-Lyonnais got a penalty after a fault from Fabien Centonze and transformed it with a beautiful + panenka + (2-1, 61st).

After this 9th goal in L1 from the young Nice striker, it was again nothing.

And Metz deserved his victory.

© 2021 AFP