For their first match at Allianz Riviera in 2022, OGC Nice hosted FC Nantes led by Antoine Kombouaré this Friday evening, a team in top form in the championship. Although the Gym had a bit of a scare at the end of the match, it marks a fourth consecutive victory for the club from the Azur coast.
Two matches, two victories! The men of Christophe Galtier have started this new year perfectly with two solid performances.
Against Nantes, who were ninth in the rankings before the match began, the Eagles dominated and logically secured the 3 points at home.
The Nice players began the match with a lot of eagerness and pushed forward in numbers. Despite this, it was Kolo Muani who triggered the first big chance of the game (20th minute) but moments later, the low Canary block gave way. Defender Abdoulaye Sylla was guilty of a handball in the area, resulting in a penalty converted by Kasper Dolberg (21st minute) 1-0.
In response to this goal, Nantes increased their intensity and enjoyed several sequences of possession near the Nice area. Finally, in the last moments of the first half, from a set piece, the Canaries equalized thanks to a free-kick by the Brazilian Girotto that was not sufficiently deflected by Benitez (45th minute). 1-1.
Returning from the dressing room, the Eagles displayed the necessary intensity to regain the lead, through a lovely run by Khéphren Thuram (56th minute), initially served by Amine Gouiri. This was followed by a second half without any clear chances, allowing Nice to secure a fourth consecutive victory in the elite.
Match Ratings:
Benitez (5) – Lotomba (4), Todibo (6), Dante (6), Amavi (5) – Boudaoui (4), Thuram (7), Rosario (6), Kluivert (6) – Gouiri (7), Dolberg (6)
