Despite the absence of its captain Téji Savanier, suspended, Montpellier, on a good dynamic, therefore played a very nasty trick in Nice.

This victory allows Olivier Dall'Oglio's players, defensive and opportunistic, to return to 7th place tied on points (19) with Rennes.

For the people of Nice, on the other hand, it's a big stop.

Certainly, they remain on the podium in 3rd place.

But Marseille's draw (0-0) earlier in the afternoon offered good prospects for an escape.

It was without counting on the defensive power of Montpellier.

Agricultural and smoke bombs: the Populaire Sud, unwavering support of the Nice team, did well to + celebrate its return to business + after various closed doors and the closure of the stand from the famous Nice-Marseille in August before the match.

Because she did not have the opportunity to capsize with happiness.

Nice did not score.

Worse, the best defense in France fell on a cons well finished by Florent Mollet (79th).

Nice supporters light smoke, before the start of the match of the 13th day of Ligue 1 against Montpellier, November 7, 2021 at the Stade de l'Allianz Riviera Valery HACHE AFP

Despite domination throughout the first period (5 corners at 0, 10 shots at 4, 15 crosses at 2, 68% possession of the ball and 60% of duels won), the Niçois never managed to destabilize the opposing defense, grouped around a very good Jonas Omlin, as at the very end of the match when he threw himself into the feet of Kasperg Dolberg (90th + 3).

Lemina on the bar

Moreover, if Amine Gouiri (12th), Youcef Atal (29th) and Lucas Da Cunha (42nd) were not precise enough, it is Valère Germain who could have created the best opportunity (21st).

But the ex-Niçois failed to control the excellent opening of Mamadou Sakho who had put him in a preferential position.

Christophe Galtier felt his team in creative deficit on the offensive plan.

Alexis Claude-Marice replaced Hassane Kamara at the break.

Quickly, the pressure of the Aiglons became stronger and more constant.

Omlin had to intervene in front of Gouiri (47th), then take out for a corner the attempt of Da Cunha (53rd).

He also saw the crossbar replace him after a magnificent sequence from Mario Lemina (54th).

The Swiss goalkeeper of Montpellier, Jonas Omlin, blocks the shot of the Nice striker Amine Gouiri, during the 13th day of Ligue 1, on November 7, 2021 at the Stade de l'Allianz Riviera Valery HACHE AFP

To change the face of the match, Galtier then brought in Dolberg (68th), absent since the victory against Lyon (3-2), to reconstitute the trident Delort-Gouiri-Dolberg.

A chisel of the first was also countered with the head by the fighter Maxime Esteve (76th).

Nice coach Christophe Galtier, during the home match of the 13th day of Ligue 1 against Montpellier, November 7, 2021 at the Allianz Riviera Stadium Valery HACHE AFP

But the risk was then to unbalance his team.

And as often, an opposing counter was fatal.

Florent Mollet perfectly adjusted Walter Benitez with a strike at the near post following a center supported by Salomon Sambia (0-1, 79th).

© 2021 AFP