It was a question of struggles for Europe and for the maintenance, Sunday April 17, for the continuation of the 32nd day of Ligue 1. Nice (2-1 against Lorient) won a narrow but important success at the top of the classification, when Nantes (1-1 against Angers) and Strasbourg (1-1 at Troyes) were slowed down. Metz and Clermont neutralized each other (1-1) and remain in the red zone after the success of Saint-Étienne on Saturday (2-1 against Brest). Finally, Montpellier and Reims left good friends (0-0) in a game without stakes. Back to the highlights of an afternoon rich in draws.
A double worth Delort
It was necessary that to stop the negative spiral. Looking for success for four games, Nice thought it was continuing its scarcity against Lorient (2-1), as an aperitif for the day. But Andy Delort, already a scorer from the penalty spot, emerged to catapult a center from Kasper Dolberg into the cage and give the Aiglons victory at the end of the match (88th). The gold-tinted striker is, in a way, the Gym’s lucky charm: as soon as he scores, his club does not lose.
The Gym returns to victory
Make way for the derby at the neighbor’s @AS_Monaco Wednesday ! #OGCNice #OGCNFCL pic.twitter.com/VMHC73xH8g
—OGC Nice (@ogcnice) April 17, 2022
The ten goals of Delort in the league have, in all, brought eleven points to the Azureans. Above all, his success is timely, when his companions Dolberg and Gouiri have not scored for seven and ten games respectively. If OGC Nice (4th with 54 points) is still in the race for the C1, despite sluggish offensive production, it owes it largely to its Algerian international.
Strasbourg marks time
Will Racing be European? Their 5th place lends to optimism, but the current dynamic does not plead in favor of the Alsatians. Held in check at Troyes (1-1), Strasbourg failed to hold on to the wheel of Nice and Monaco, both victorious this weekend. In difficulty with a catchy promoted, now four points above the red zone, Strasbourg needed a penalty to open the scoring, by Habib Diallo (55th). Julien Stéphan’s players thought they had a narrow success, but Florian Tardieu equalized on a new penalty (85th).
A symptomatic counter-performance of the Alsatian spring. Strasbourg may be undefeated for three months, the club has a sixth draw in eight outings. The problem is mainly offensive: the average of 1.9 goals per game before the break has fallen to 1.23 since January. It will take more to find Europe.