It was not until the very end of the match to see Jérémie Boga, entered during the match, slalom in the Monegasque surface and give victory to Francesco Farioli's men (90th + 1), still unbeaten this season.

After their exploit in Paris last Friday (3-2), the Nice have followed with a second success of high flight, in Monaco which concedes its first defeat. This third consecutive victory in the league places them, with 12 points, at the top of Ligue 1, a unit ahead of Monegasques who can only blame themselves.

Adi Hütter had decided to start for the first time this season the striker Folarin Balogun, summer recruit at 30 million excluding bonuses, scorer in Lorient last Sunday (2-2). As a result, he left penalty specialist Wissam Ben Yedder on the bench.

Bad took him, since the American international missed twice in the exercise. A first time at the beginning of the match, following a foul by Jordan Lotomba on Aleksandr Golovin. Balogun then crossed his attempt at ground level. Marcin Bulka quickly lay down to divert (11th).

Monaco striker Folarin Balogun strikes and misses a penalty against Nice, on September 22, 2023 at the Stade Louis-II © Valery HACHE / AFP

Then, a second time, after the break, when the refereeing penalty had fallen following a slight lack of promptness of Morgan Sanson in front of Takumi Minamino (55th). This time, Balogun completely missed: he hit hard in the middle. Bulka, concentrated, was once again imperial.

In front of Jim Ratcliffe

The Nice goalkeeper, successor of Kasper Schmeichel, was also all the game. Thus, after its victory in Paris last Friday, Nice still returns undefeated from a hostile terrain.

Because Boga scored in stoppage time. But the Eaglets could have won before. Sofiane Diop (missed curled strike, 3rd, header on Köhn, 30th, shot over the top, 32nd) and Terem Moffi (nice save from Köhn, 38th) had great opportunities in the first half.

Nice striker Jeremie Boga scores the only goal of the match against Monaco, on September 22, 2023 at the Stade Louis-II © Valery HACHE / AFP

The excellent Burundian midfielder Youssouf Ndayishimiye slammed his head on the bar (77th). It was then the beginning of the period where Nice looked to go and win the match. In blue for the occasion and, as last season (3-0 victory) under the eyes of Ineos boss Jim Ratcliffe, the Nice pushed very hard in the last quarter of an hour, while Monaco had missed its chance in the first half.

Despite Bologun's failure on his first penalty, Monaco had, indeed, continued to push hard, without really being dangerous, except when Ndayishimiye deflected just off goal, an attempt by Vanderson (45th+3).

Now the Nice team, which hosts Brest on the 7th day of Ligue 1 next week, will have its eyes on it and will have to assume its new status as leader. Monaco, for its part, will have the opportunity to relaunch itself in a new derby: at Louis-II, against Marseille.

© 2023 AFP