The big flights were not on the side of the Allianz Riviera this Saturday evening. For the 9th day of Ligue 1, OM fell, at the end of boredom, in Nice (1-0). Despite a tight match with few chances, OGC Nice found the fault thanks to a goal from Guessand (80th).
This Mediterranean derby between the Aiglons and the Olympians promised to be fiery, it was closed for a long time. With Ounahi and Harit associated with Rongier in midfield, OM tried to impose their domination from the start, Ndiaye offering himself the first situation with a header (3rd). Hindered in the restart, Nice relied on the speed of Boga, supported by the races of Sanson, to worry the Marseille rearguard. But overall, Marseille had control of the game in the heart of the first period despite an obvious lack of chances. After a first alert for Bulka in front of Sarr (17th), Gattuso’s men believed they were making the difference thanks to their Senegalese winger, well served by Mbemba (26th). A signal for offside calmed their enthusiasm, before the Gym put its nose to the window. So discreet until then, Moffi planted two banderillas, the first from the left (40th) then the second from the head (45th 1st), without much danger for Lopez. At the break, the southern rivals logically neutralized each other and the chess game continued after the locker room.
Clauss left at half-time, OM suffered another hard blow when Pau Lopez, injured on a clearance, requested a change for Blanco. The Marseillais suffered more of the attacks from the Aiglons, carried by a more enterprising Laborde. But the most interesting situations remained in Marseille for Sarr (61st) then Harit whose header forced Bulka to make a save (62nd). Still in a false rhythm, the two teams held each other in check until the final quarter of an hour approached. Aubameyang will undoubtedly regret his failed face-to-face in front of Bulka (73rd), the fault of the outgoing post. The coin finally fell to the Nice side when Balerdi, sent off for two yellow cards in three minutes, gave the Gym a golden ammunition. Boga placed the free kick on the head of the offensive joker, Evan Guessand, to exult the Allianz Riviera (1-0, 80th). At ten, OM tried until the end but neither Lodi (83rd) nor Ndiaye (89th) set the sights. The best defense in the elite held on to validate a success that was more precious than spectacular in this shock of the 9th day.
Still undefeated, OGC Nice takes the lead in Ligue 1 ahead of PSG while Marseille, 7th, sees the podium slip away this weekend.
