Monaco 2-2 Nice

It was almost perfect…

Trailing at the break, the Gym provided a superb derby for its fans. Walking in the footsteps of a sublime Balotelli, once again picking up a brace, the Aiglons lead the score until the 92nd minute, before falling to a draw after a goal from Falcao (2-2). Both magnificent and infuriating at the same time…

A helping hand…

Big players like big matches. The light. You don’t need to rack your brains to realise the talent of the Gym’s number 9. For the 3rd time in 4 derbies, Super Mario has scored a brace, and  thought for a long time that he had broken down his neighbour with the end of his foot. Due to a late goal, it was only the ending that was missing in order to reward the Italian’s excellent performance. Unfortunately…

“Monaco are capable of everything: to wait and counter; or to play. We will need to be ready for everything” announced Lucien Favre in his press conference during the week. Like in a bad chorus, the Gym were first caught out by a side who sat back and countered, then played the game once they were trailing.

Helped by the decision of Mr Letexier, who was the only one not to see that Diakhaby controlled the ball with his hand after a cross from Lemar, before smashing it past Benitez from close range (1-0, 35’), the neighbour, made things a lot more simple thanks to an official bit of help.

Before this opener which should have concluded with a free-kick, Monaco had been happy to defend. Well. Very well. Jorge silenced Saint-Maximin, Glik cut out everything, and the Aiglons, dominated possession but were knocking their heads against a brick wall. Swallowed up by the opposition’s density, Balo' – back in he starting 11 – was first of all forced to come out of the middle to express himself. He tried from distance (7’), then had a free-kick (12’), but without worrying Subasic. Cyprien’s deflected shot (25’) – also returning to the side - and the smart effort from Lees-Melou (32’) didn’t have enough to trouble the Croatian stopper.

ASM, therefore, let the first half an hour pass by, like a big cat sitting back and watching a storm. In the background, but ready to pounce. In the first half, when the men from Monaco pushed, it took a well concentrated Burner to stop Diakhaby from getting onto a cross from Baldé (10’). As they took the lead, the current holders turned the flow of the game. Played higher up the pitch, and took control of the game.

... And grand gestures!

The break arrived. The Red and Blacks were going to have to push for 45 minutes to try to turn the situation around. Their superhero only needed 2 to get the sides back onto level terms. Justice. In the 47th minute, Saint-Maximin finally got the better of Jorge and crossed firmly in front of goal. In another echo of the words spoken by Coach Favre, the big Italian fought to get on the end of the ball. Killer, smart, accurate, he held off Glik with the necessary force to destabilise the opponent, but without fouling him, and threw himself at the ball to turn it home (1-1, 47'). From then on, the real magic of the derby swept across the game. The two sides traded blow by blow, looking for a K.O. Monaco found themselves and the game got going.

Glik denied Mario a second goal (55'), Seri prevented Lemar (59'), Sidibé blocked Cyprien (62'), and the atmosphere became electric. The cold wind added to it. Super Mario, moaning, surfed on the atmosphere to set the game alight. Played in by Seri, the Italian tricked Raggi in a one-on-one, and doubled the score thanks to his compatriots deflection (1-2, 68'). 

The Louis-II celebrated the Nice goal. As always, the Gym thought it could hold on to its victory, hoped… but lacked lucidity at the very end of the game. From a quick free-kick, Benitez pushed Lopes’ strike into the feet of Falcao, and “the Tiger" was there to confirm that big players like big games (2-2, 92'). 

A frustrating end to a passionate derby.

C.D.

Monaco, stade Louis-II
AS Monaco 2-2 OGC Nice (1-0 at half-time)

Matchday 21 of L1 - 16/01/2018

10000 spectators approx.

Referee: François Letexier

Goals: Diakhaby (33') Falcao (92’) for Monaco; Balotelli (47', 68') for Nice.

Yellow cards: Glik (17'), Moutinho (63'), Diakhaby (75') for Monaco; Cyprien (34'), Plea (34'), Balotelli (61') for Nice.

AS Monaco: Subasic - Sidibé, Glik, Raggi, Jorge - Moutinho, Ndoram (Ghezzal 80') - Baldé (Lopes 68'), Lemar, Diakhaby (Jovetic 75') - Falcao (cap).

OGC Nice: Benitez - Burner, Marlon, Dante (cap), Le Marchand (Sarr 60')- Lees-Melou, Cyprien, Seri - Saint-Maximin, Balotelli (Srarfi 92'), Plea.