In a thrilling Côte d’Azur derby, OGC Nice claimed their first win since September, edging past AS Monaco 2-1. Despite Monaco’s early lead through Breel Embolo, Nice equalized just before halftime. A crucial red card for Monaco’s Vanderson shifted momentum, allowing Nice to dominate in the second half. Gaëtan Laborde secured the victory with a well-placed finish, marking Nice’s first home derby win since 2020, while Monaco missed the opportunity to reclaim the top spot in Ligue 1.
The Côte d’Azur derby showcased contrasting goals for both teams. AS Monaco aimed to reclaim the top position before the highly anticipated Classique against PSG and OM, while OGC Nice sought their first win since their impressive 8-0 rout of Saint-Etienne on September 20. In a thrilling finale, Franck Haise’s squad battled valiantly to secure the victory.
Initially, the match started slowly, with only a few notable moments, such as Magassa receiving a yellow card in the 15th minute for a rough tackle on Evann Guessand. Just a few minutes earlier, Bulk had nearly conceded an own goal, deflecting Minamino’s cross onto the bar. Monaco believed they had scored first with Breel Embolo’s goal, set up by his teammate from Japan, but it was ruled offside following a VAR review in the 22nd minute.
Breel Embolo finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, putting Monaco ahead (0-1) against goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. Monaco took charge of the match, controlling 69% of possession during the first half. However, just before halftime, Nice leveled the score with Evann Guessand’s header from a free-kick in stoppage time (45th+1′). As halftime approached, the game took a dramatic turn.
Vanderson’s Unintentional Impact
A foul by Nice resulted in a controversial moment when Vanderson, already booked, pushed Mohammed Ali-Cho from behind. This incited tensions between the two teams, leading referee Jérôme Brisard to issue a second yellow card to the Brazilian full-back, resulting in his dismissal (45th+4′).
This incident revitalized OGC Nice as they dominated possession in the second half. Despite their control, AS Monaco created several dangerous chances, including hitting the bar through Lamine Camara in the 58th minute.
Nice’s Resilient Performance
Throughout the second half, Nice faced relentless pressure with 13 shots on target being thwarted by Guessand and Boga, keeping Monaco’s hopes alive. Ultimately, it was Gaëtan Laborde who became the hero for Nice, scoring the decisive goal in the 71st minute. He cleverly lobbed the goalkeeper, capitalizing on a well-timed counter-attack after a corner kick.
In the final moments, Nice nearly extended their lead when Boudaoui took a shot in the 81st minute, but Majecki managed to make a crucial save. As the match concluded, OGC Nice celebrated a home victory in the Côte d’Azur derby for the first time since September 2020, much to the delight of their fans at the Allianz Arena. With this victory, Nice rises to eighth place in the standings, just one point shy of fifth, while Monaco missed a chance to regain the top spot. This derby exemplified the exhilarating nature of Ligue 1, filled with intensity and excitement.