In the 25th round of Ligue 1, Nice suffered a 2-1 defeat against Montpellier at the Allianz Riviera. This marked their fourth defeat in the last five matches and a slip from the podium.
Match Highlights
The clash was marked with tension and a series of notable incidents. One such incident was Todibo's unfortunate own goal in the 10th minute, giving Montpellier an early lead. However, Nice responded promptly as Boga found the net just two minutes after, restoring parity.
Despite slightly dominating the match, Nice failed to secure a lead. Thuram, in particular, came agonisingly close to giving Nice the lead on three separate occasions. The first half ended on a sour note with a quarrel breaking out between the two teams.
The Deciding Factor
The defining moment came when a handball by Laborde led to a penalty for Montpellier. Savanier, stepping up to the task, coolly converted the penalty in the 42nd minute, giving Montpellier the lead. The second half saw a decrease in pace, despite Savanier nearly doubling Montpellier's lead.
Final Stages and Result
In the final 30 minutes, Nice had control of the ball but failed to turn their possession into a goal. Thuram had a last-gasp attempt to equalise, only to see his shot hit the side netting.
Montpellier's win sees them moving up the standings, escaping the dreaded relegation playoff spot and landing in the 12th spot. Conversely, this match leaves Nice in 5th place after going six games without a win in Ligue 1.