Nice bends but does not break

Is it by his iron defense and his steel mind that we recognize a solid dolphin?

Still, Nice was able to suffer ten against eleven at the Mosson stadium and leave with a small point likely to preserve its second place.

It was a special match for striker Andy Delort, ex-captain of Montpellier, who was booed by his former fans, still upset by his decision to join Nice.

Moreover, the Algerian international did not score, stumbling on the post at a tight angle (4th) on his best opportunity.

But the Montpellier attackers were not much more inspired, while the Hérault club evolved almost an hour in numerical superiority after the severe exclusion of the Nice captain Dante (35th) for having hooked Elye Wahi in the area.

Penalty, therefore.

But Téji Savanier, the master player from Montpellier, inexplicably ruined it by attempting a too soft panenka that goalkeeper Walter Benitez had no trouble intercepting (37th)...

Things did not move either in the second half, in the pouring rain and under a deluge of crosses sent into the Nice area.

As for Valère Germain's attempt, she also found the post (53rd).

This draw allows at least Montpellier (11th, 38 pts) to put an end to its bad series of the moment (four defeats over the last five days), and to Nice (2nd, 50 pts), best defense in L1, to be able to see come his pursuers, in particular Marseille (3rd, 47 pts), opposed to Brest on Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.).

It must be said that a tantalizing shock awaits the people of Nice next weekend on the lawn of OM, for a duel with a view of the qualifying places for the Champions League.

Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez saves his team from an attack by Montpellier at the La Mosson stadium, March 12, 2022 Pascal GUYOT AFP

And winning in Marseille, "it would be something very strong for us to mark this end of the championship with our mark", summarized the Nice midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin at the microphone of Amazon Prime Video.

Troyes brakes Nantes and breathes

Seven points in three matches is the almost unexpected total collected in recent weeks by Troyes, who beat Nantes 1-0 on Saturday evening to give themselves some air at the bottom of the classification.

After frustrating Marseille (1-1) then sinking Bordeaux (2-0), Estac followed up against the Canaries thanks to a goal from Canadian Iké Ugbo (43rd) who gave new coach Bruno Irles his first victory at the stadium. of Dawn.

Troyes players celebrate Ike Ugbo's goal, that of their victory against Nantes at the Aube stadium, March 12, 2022 FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI AFP

This life-saving sequence allows the promoted club to go up to 15th place with 28 points, up to Clermont (16th, 28 pts), who faces the barrage Lorient (18th, 24 pts) on Sunday in a direct duel for maintenance.

On the other hand, it is a setback for Nantes, which remained on the euphoria of its qualification for the final of the Coupe de France or of its convincing victory against Paris SG (3-1).

And to make matters worse, Nantes lost their defensive pillar Nicolas Pallois, out with a knee injury.

Antoine Kombouaré's team is stagnating in seventh place (42 pts), five lengths from the podium, with the fear of seeing certain competitors for Europe widen the gap this weekend...

© 2022 AFP