Ligue 1: Nice thanks to Orel Mangla as comeback continues

Match: 1-0

Last two months ago, OL are temporarily eleventh in the rankings after a home success against Nice (1-0) on Friday. Rising rankings with multiple components: state of mind, effective recruiting, system changes and even a touch of success. At the Groupama Stadium, Mohamed-Ali Cho found the post (9th) and the referee missed two penalties (Caletta-Carr on Gussend in the first period then Tagliafico on Lotomba, 82nd). Anthony Lopes, under pressure from debutant Lucas Perry, saved his team several times (5th, 20th, 85th, 86th…)

Healthy, as we saw during last Sunday’s sweep in Montpellier (2-1), OL still showed some nice things against Aglons. The Matic-Caqueret-Mangla midfield was striking in its activity, its impact, its complementarity. The latter scored the only goal of the match on his first start, past a restless Ernest Numah (1-0, 22nd). The Ghanaian, caught by Melvin Bard (8th, 35th), forced Yussuf Ndyashimiye to pick up a caution (10th). Coming off the bench, Ryan Cherky missed the break goal, from a very tight angle (88th).

Fact: Great plays more but earns less

For weeks, OGC Nice was singled out for its lack of offensive attitude and its cold realism. A game plan that brought the Eagles to second place in the standings. But in recent weeks, Francesco Ferioli’s men have been coming out a bit more, playing faster.

We saw it especially at the start of the match in Brest (0-0, February 4), during the magnificent derby against Monaco (2-3, Sunday) and again during the first twenty minutes at the Groupe Stadium. This thunderous fresh start failed again and Nice were punished by OL’s only shot on target.

Le Jim, who has touched twice as many balls in the opponent’s area as OL (32 against 16), has taken just 10 points in the last nine games. At the end of this 22nd day, he may fall from the podium.