OGC Nice Suffers Home Defeat to Nantes Despite Dominating Possession
Nice's ineffective performance leads to a 2-1 loss against Nantes, raising concerns for their Champions League aspirations.
OGC Nice faced a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home against FC Nantes, managing to secure only one point from their last four matches and jeopardizing their prospects in the race for a Champions League spot.
The match, held on April 4, 2025, highlighted the ongoing struggles of the Nice side despite their dominant possession.
In the first half, Nice controlled the match with approximately 70% possession but failed to capitalize on their opportunities.
Early attempts from players such as Abdi and Laborde did not yield results, as they were thwarted by a vigilant performance from Nantes goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.
However, Nice did manage to equalize temporarily through a goal from Boudaoui, who set up Abdi to net the equalizer in the 14th minute.
Nantes struck first, taking the lead in the 11th minute when Douglas Augusto scored from 20 meters following a lapse in the Nice defense.
The visitors regained the lead in the 38th minute when Albine deflected a shot in a crowded penalty area following a corner, bringing the score to 2-1.
The second half saw an impressive display of possession from Nice, reaching 82% at one point.
Despite this dominance, they struggled to penetrate the Nantes defense, which held firm against repeated attacks.
Lopes continued to showcase his goalkeeping prowess, notably saving attempts from Bouanani in the 70th minute.
This defeat marked Nice's second loss at home this season, leading to critical implications for their standings as they prepare for their upcoming match against Strasbourg.