OGC Nice drew 0-0 at Reims on Matchday 28 of Ligue 1.

On Sunday, OGC Nice drew 0-0 with Reims at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Matchday 28 of Ligue 1. Nice dominated the first half, creating a number of good chances but failing to find the net in the opening 45 minutes. In the second half, Francesco Farioli's team were unable to get the better of the more attack-minded Rémois. With the score level, Les Aiglons now lie fifth in the table on 44 points, five points off the podium. 

Francesco Farioli made three changes to his starting line-up from the match against Nantes last weekend, with Bard starting on the left of defence and Rosario and Thuram (back from suspension) in midfield. Bulka, Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Boudaoui, Cho, Moffi and Boga made up the rest of Nice's eleven, lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.

DOMINANT, THE GYM CREATED SOME BIG CHANCES... 

From the very first minutes of the game, Gym and Reims set the pace with chances for both sides and a physical impact. Les Aiglons had the first real chance of the game. Jeremie Boga accelerated into the Reims half before feeding Moffi perfectly from deep. The Nigerian struck first time but the ball flew just wide of the Champagne goal (7'). Moments later, Gym pressed forward through Mohamed-Ali Cho, who fired wide with his left foot from the edge of the area (13'). The home side also put Francesco Farioli's men on the alert with a powerful effort from Atangana that Bułka kept out with both hands (12') and Munetsi's shot from a tight angle on the right of the area (19').

However, Gym were defensively in place and created danger in the Reims area with some interesting passing moves, although they were unable to find the net. Jeremie Boga's free-kick was turned away by Diouf at the near post (24'). Boudaoui's long-range shot (26') failed to find the net.

The final stretch of the first half was clearly in Gym's favour as they dominated the game. From a Boga corner, Dante headed the ball in but it was blocked by the Reims rearguard (42'). A minute later, following a great team move, Lotomba crossed for Boga, who was completely unmarked in the box at the far post, but the 27-year-old striker failed to adjust his shot and missed the target (43'). After an impressive first half, the Aiglons went into the break on level terms.

... BUT COULDN'T FIND THE BREAKTHROUGH

After the break, Les Niçois found it harder to find their feet on the pitch and played at a lower level than they had for the first 45 minutes. Reims monopolised the ball and tried to find space in a second half that was less rhythmic than the first. 

Francesco Farioli made his first change on the hour mark, bringing on Guessand for Cho. The 22-year-old striker quickly made his mark. After a fine move with Moffi, his dangerous cross into the box was deflected for a corner (67'). In a moment of strength for Nice, Thuram tried his luck but his shot was blocked in the dying by the Stade de Nice defence (68').

Marcin Bułka had not been in much danger so far in the second half, but he kept out Diakité's shot with his foot (73'). Les Rémois tried to destabilise Nice's defence, as when Ito's cross was headed clear by Todibo, the ball fell to De Smet who saw his shot blocked by Lotomba (77'). Claude-Maurice and Laborde then came on to replace Boudaoui and Boga. As the game drew to a close, Laborde whipped in a pinpoint cross for Thuram to head in at the far post, but the ball lacked power and Diouf was in the way (87'). In the dying seconds, Bułka prevented Reims from opening the scoring by deflecting Khadra's effort with his foot (90+3), allowing the Gym to salvage a draw. 
 

NEXT MATCH AGAINST LORIENT

Francesco Farioli and his men will kick off matchday 30 of Ligue 1 at the Allianz Riviera against Lorient on Friday 19th April at 9pm.