Traveling to Saint-Étienne, OGC Nice delivered a controlled performance to claim a 3-1 victory, securing their fourth consecutive win in Ligue 1. Les Aiglons are guaranteed to finish Matchday 24 at least in third place.

The points machine keeps running. Facing AS Saint-Étienne on Saturday at the Geoffroy-Guichard, Franck Haise’s men executed their game plan perfectly, just as they have for the past four weeks. After victories against Lens (MD21, 2-0), Le Havre (MD22, 1-3) and Montpellier (MD23, 2-0), the Rouge et Noir secured a fourth straight league win - marking their first such streak this season and their longest since October-November 2023. This victory was crucial to maintaining their momentum in the race for Europe. With the three points secured in Forez, Nice are certain to stay in third place for at least another week and have even temporarily drawn level with Marseille (46 points), trailing only due to goals scored.

However, it was not an easy game. Fighting to avoid relegation, ASSE, under their Norwegian coach Eirik Horneland, delivered a strong first half, troubling the visitors with their intense pressing and technical attacking play. This was exemplified by Lucas Stassin’s equaliser. Found behind the Nice defence, the Belgian striker took advantage of some poor positioning to combine with Aïmen Moueffek, who provided a well-weighted pass for Stassin to slot home (1-1, 32’).

ROSARIO SET NICE ON THEIR WAY

Before that, the match had started well for the Rouge et Noir, but they initially struggled to beat Gautier Larsonneur, who was in top form. The Saint-Étienne goalkeeper made an early impact, first denying Baptiste Santamaria’s header from a Jonathan Clauss free kick, then quickly recovering to stop Gaëtan Laborde’s close-range attempt (5’).

Five minutes later, Larsonneur was again called into action, blocking a powerful shot from Clauss at the right side of the box. However, he was helpless to deny Pablo Rosario’s header, as the Nice midfielder outmuscled his marker to nod home and give his side the lead (0-1, 10’). Nice remained dangerous on the counter, and Melvin Bard orchestrated a promising break, but Clauss’s volley lacked power to beat Larsonneur again (24’).

After Saint-Étienne’s equaliser, Nice experienced a rough patch, struggling with uncharacteristic technical errors in midfield and an inability to connect with their forwards. However, Franck Haise’s half-time adjustments paid off, as a completely different OGC Nice emerged for the second half.

NICE STEPPED UP A GEAR

Much more aggressive in their pressing, Nice regained control and quickly put Larsonneur under pressure. The goalkeeper made another superb save to deny Santamaria’s powerful strike from the edge of the box (51’). However, Nice’s persistence paid off from the ensuing corner. Instead of shooting, Clauss opted for a low-driven cross to the near post. Rosario’s presence forced Mickaël Nadé into his own goal (1-2, 52’).

With momentum firmly on their side, Nice kept pushing, led by a fired-up Mohamed-Ali Cho in the second half. After winning possession high up the pitch, Cho cut inside and unleashed a left-footed strike from inside the box, but it narrowly missed the far post (59’).

Dominating the game, Nice created numerous chances. Santamaria attempted a spectacular volley from the edge of the area, narrowly missing what could have been the goal of the season. Undeterred, the winter signing played a crucial role in the third goal. Driving forward from the left flank, he switched play across the pitch, finding Cho in the box. Instead of shooting, Cho dummied and laid it off to Evens Guessand, who finished with a precise right-footed strike past Larsonneur (1-3, 69’).

FOCUS ON THE CLASH AGAINST LYON

Guessand’s goal - his 10th in Ligue 1 this season (11th in all competitions) - capped off an impressive performance for Nice. The victory could have been even more emphatic, but Bard’s shot struck the crossbar before he was flagged offside (80’), while Guessand’s final attempt hit the side netting (82’).

Displaying relentless determination and attacking strength, Nice continue to assert themselves as a serious contender in the final stretch of the season. Franck Haise’s men will now turn their attention to a crucial showdown against Olympique Lyonnais at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday 9 March (8.45pm).

Hugo Rondet