Ligue 1: OGC Nice Come from Behind to Defeat RC Strasbourg Alsace

Nice Stage Second-Half Comeback to Beat Strasbourg

OGC Nice encountered difficulties in breaching RC Strasbourg Alsace's defense during the first half...

OGC Nice overcame a first-half deficit to defeat RC Strasbourg Alsace 2-1, with Sofiane Diop's vision and Melvin Bard's finishing proving decisive.

OGC Nice staged a remarkable comeback to defeat RC Strasbourg Alsace 2-1, extending their positive run while condemning Strasbourg to a continuation of their struggles. The victory was a hard-fought one, with Nice having to overcome a first-half deficit to claim all three points.

The opening 45 minutes were marked by a scarcity of clear-cut chances, with OGC Nice posing the greater threat without ever truly testing Djordje Petrovic's goal. Meanwhile, RC Strasbourg Alsace adopted a more counter-attacking approach, seeking to capitalize on transition opportunities. Although they pressed high up the pitch, their goal ultimately arose from a turnover in possession.

The Strasbourg goal was scored by Dilane Bakwa, who beat Marcin Bulka at the near post with ease. The chance was created when Tom Louchet's loose ball was intercepted by Ismaël Doukouré, who then fed Félix Lemarechal. Lemarechal, in turn, picked out Bakwa, who made no mistake in giving Les Alsaciens the lead.

OGC Nice encountered difficulties in breaching RC Strasbourg Alsace's defense during the first half. However, they managed to break through with relative ease early in the second half. Sofiane Diop, who was making his first Ligue 1 start in a year, had a quiet first half but came alive in the second. He picked out Melvin Bard's run behind the defense, and Bard kept his composure to beat the onrushing Djordje Petrovic.

The momentum had shifted in Nice's favor, and they capitalized on it six minutes later to take the lead. Diop once again played a crucial role, delivering a vertical through ball that ultimately led to the goal. Although the ball didn't find a teammate, Abakar Sylla inadvertently did the job for Nice, sliding the ball past his own goalkeeper to give Les Aiglons the lead.

The game's tempo slowed down significantly after Nice took the lead, with the next clear-cut chance not arising until the 93rd minute. Melvin Bard embarked on a remarkable solo run, covering half the length of the pitch before unleashing a shot that was straight at the retreating Petrovic.

Djordje Petrovic was forced to make another crucial intervention just seconds later, as he expertly blocked Gaëtan Laborde's effort with his feet. The save was a testament to Petrovic's agility and reflexes, and it ensured that RC Strasbourg Alsace's deficit remained at one goal.

Ultimately, OGC Nice's two-goal advantage proved sufficient, as they extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to eight games. In contrast, RC Strasbourg Alsace's struggles continued, with the team suffering their third consecutive defeat.