On Wednesday, OGC Nice fell to defeat against Monaco at the Stade Louis-II in the Derby of the Côte d'Azur (1-0) and now sit two points behind their opponents on Matchday 33 of L1.

Frustration. That's what can be taken away from the derby. After an interesting performance, the Niçois lost at Monaco (1-0). However, Le Gym had created chances and didn't lack effort. But they did lack efficacy in front of goal. A goal from Golovin just before half-time allowed Les Monégasques to take home the three points.

LES AIGLONS SHOW PROMISE BUT ARE PUNISHED JUST BEFORE HALF-TIME

From the very start of the match, both sides showed their attacking intentions. Daniliuc blocked Ben Yedder's strike inside the box while Le Gym had their own chances when Lotomba struck powerfully at goal and Delort headed off-target after a good cross into the box from Lemina. The Gabonese midfielder's strike from distance then went just wide of Nübel's goal. A well-organised Nice side maintained control of the ball in the early minutes of the match and their pressing troubled the home side.

With the Nice supporters in the stands bringing real atmosphere, the encounter had rhythm and the two teams created chances. A lively Mario Lemina connected with an inch-perfect corner from Brahimi - who was starting for the first time since arriving in Nice this winter - but didn't manage to find the target. Walter Benitez dealt with Tchouaméni's shot from distance at the second time of asking, before Badiashile's volley flew over the Argentine's goal. Benítez was back in action minutes later. Found by Volland on the left wing, Ben Yedder struck with the inside of his left boot in the box but Le Gym's final line of defence perfectly turned the ball away for a corner.

The club from the principality looked more and more dangerous at the end of the first half and punished Christophe Galtier's side. A clinical punishment with an avoidable goal. Benitez got down to parry a cross that had come in from Vanderson on the right, as Jordan Lotomba on his own in the box was well placed to clear. Golovin, a fox in the box, took full avantage and finished with his right to open the scoring for Monaco (1-0, 45’). Les Rouge et Noir headed in behind at the break despite a positive first-half performance, and when a draw would have been a fairer score…

LE GYM PUSH BUT CAN'T FIND A WAY THROUGH

In the second half, Les Niçois returned on the front foot. A powerful effort from distance from Andy Delort was stopped by Nübel. Le Gym played high up the pitch and gave their all to try get back on level terms. A smart ball from Lotomba saw Brahimi played in behind the hosts' defence. The winger crossed powerfully but Badiashile cleared the ball for a corner. Delort powerfully connected with a header after a cross from substitute Kluivert but the ball missed the target by a couple of centimetres. Thuram also broke into the box but his effort was deflected and went off for a corner.

The home side sought to hit Le Gym on the counter, with Volland and Ben Yedder leading the way. Benítez impressively turned Volland's effort over the bar for a corner, while Ben Yedder hit the post with a lob and another effort from the France international was dealt with by the Argentine. OGC Nice pushed until the very end of the match but couldn't find an equaliser.

There are now five battles left for Les Niçois to overtake their neighbour and to secure their place in Europe next season via the league, before going into the Coupe de France final against Nantes on 7 May. 

The final sprint of the season will begin on Sunday, with the visit of Troyes (M34, 3pm