Reduced to ten after Dante’s expulsion, Nice hung on and got a draw against a Strasbourg team that pushed for a long time to make the difference (0-0).
Fifth in Ligue 1, but with a match less than Rennes (4th) and just three points behind Nice (3rd), Racing is having a sensational 2021-22 exercise. But to take a higher step and confirm their status as outsiders for European places, the Alsatians had to show themselves against OGC Nice, still neck and neck with OM for a place of dolphin behind PSG and which remains on a poor record of one win and two losses (2-0 against OL, 1-0 against Clermont) in their last three matches.
In front of their home crowd at La Meinau, the RCSA proved to be dangerous from the outset and, as usual, quickly sought to unblock the situation against the best defense in the Championship. The first danger came through Gameiro. Served back, the French international attempted a heavy curling strike, without being able to find the frame (15th). Prcic, with a very powerful left foot strike, then forced Benitez to relax (29th). For their part, the Aiglons proceeded against, as on this breakthrough of Gouiri, caught in extremis by Djiku (16th). A start to the match dominated by the Alsatians, who could not find the fault.
Impassable Walter Benitez
Less spectacular, the second period started at the same pace and the people of Nice seemed determined to let Strasbourg attack. But by dint of undergoing the pressure of the men of Stéphan, the Aiglons, by Dante, put themselves in great danger. In a duel in depth, Gameiro could gain the upper hand in speed, then Dante, with a poorly negotiated tackle, received a second yellow card synonymous with expulsion (48th). Despite everything, the Azureans held out in numerical inferiority, even if Benitez had to achieve a feat, in two stages, to prevent Diallo from opening the scoring, yet alone against him (79th).
At the end of the game, the Argentinian goalkeeper made another precious save in front of Diallo, while he was on the ground (84th). Without managing to win, Strasbourg won an important point and was guaranteed to remain fifth at the end of the day, before a trip to Reims. On the other hand, Nice remains second, tied on points with OM, who are due to face Troyes on Sunday (5 p.m.). A bad result for Christophe Galtier’s men, a day before the reception of PSG…
