Nice (AFP)

Despite a lively second period, rivals Nice and Monaco did not manage to decide (2-2), Sunday in an Allianz Riviera behind closed doors, during the 6th day of Ligue 1.

Under the eyes of Jim Radcliffe and his brother Bob, billionaire owners of OGC Nice, and Dmitri Rybolovlev, billionaire owner of AS Monaco, the enemy brothers of the Côte d'Azur demonstrated that they would be two candidates at European places.

Monaco, in bad shape since the start of the season, reassured themselves about their level, but also about their state of mind.

As for the Aiglons, they retain their invincibility but missed the opportunity to climb on the podium during this meeting disputed without an audience, due to the sanctions imposed by the LFP on the club after the incidents which marked the match against OM August 22.

The day before, at a press conference, Monegasque coach Niko Kovac had announced that the meeting was going to be a game of chess.

Locked for a long time, the first period proved him right.

Nice did not frame any shot before the break.

Certainly, Kasper Dolberg, hit in a knee, came out quickly (15th).

But with the entry of Andy Delort in his place, the Gym was not necessarily going to lose after halftime.

But first, it was Monaco who had mastered it.

A first header from Wissam Ben Yedder is deflected by Walter Benitez (27) before the French international misses the ball on a good cross from Caio Henrique (32).

The joy of the Monegasques on the equalizer against Nice signed Wissam Ben Yedder (center) at the Allianz Riviera, September 19, 2021 Valery HACHE AFP

Better, the Monegasques went ahead just after: Aleksandr Golovin finished a good collective action also involving Ben Yedder and Gelson Martins (0-1, 39).

A small event since the Aiglons were still the only team of the five big European championships not to have conceded a goal.

At half-time, the walls of the locker rooms in Nice must have shaken.

Coach Christophe Galtier has clearly asked his lane players to go play behind Caio Henrique and Djibril Sidibé.

- Delort treats -

And it is indeed on an overflow and a cross from Amine Gouiri that Delort offered with a good header his first goal on his new colors (1-1, 51).

The second period then opened completely.

The two formations have surrendered blow for blow.

And Nice struck first.

Andy Delort congratulated by his teammates, after his first goal with Nice, at the reception of AS Monaco, September 19, 2021 Valery HACHE AFP

In difficulty since the start of the season, Monegasque goalkeeper Alexander Nübel performed a reflex save on a header from Pablo Rosario (66).

Then Delort's attempt, deflected by Axel Disasi, passed right by (69).

But the strong time in Nice ended up being rewarded.

Once again, Delort stood out.

Gouiri in percussion resists Aurélien Tchouameni and shifts him: his center turned into an assist for Hicham Boudaoui, author of his second goal of the season (2-1, 74).

Monaco then showed real strength of character to come back.

The referee, François Letexier, whistled a foul by Calvin Steng on Caio Henrique.

The penalty, validated by video refereeing assistance (VAR), was transformed by Ben Yedder, author, finally, of his first goal of the season in L1 (2-2, 76)

Both teams still had a huge opportunity each to win.

First, Gouiri completely missed his penalty, resulting from a hand from Benoît Badiashile on a volley from Delort that Mr. Letexier had not seen but that his video assistants recommended him to check (82).

Amine Gouiri annoyed after a decisive penalty missed in the draw against Monaco at the Allianz Riviera, September 19, 2021 Valery HACHE AFP

Then Myron Boadu, who had just entered the game in place of Ben Yedder, lost his face to face in front of an impeccable Benitez who came out to meet him (84).

And in the end, this draw makes sense.

© 2021 AFP