(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights MONACO - NICE
The weekend kicked off with the league's closest derby in terms of geography and fittingly,
there was little between Monaco and Nice in the table.
Going into Friday's Côte d'Azur derby,
Youssoufa Fahner described the match as the best defence in the league facing the best attack.
And the league's Xanax-backed midfielder up top of the table,
Monaco having scored 15 whilst third place Nice
conceded a joint low in the division of four.
Francisco Farioli kept faith with the same starting XI
that had triumphed in the French capital.
Two teams' confidence was clear in a high-octane opening
after a tame shot from Sofiane Diop,
comfortably held.
Flo Baligan making his first start for Monaco
following his summer arrival from Arsenal
was given the ideal opportunity to open his account for his new club.
And Jordan Latombe knocked Alexander Golovin off balance inside the penalty box.
But the US international, who scored 21 league goals while on loan at Reims last season,
failed to take that opportunity.
Martin Bulka diving the right way and pushing away his efforts.
Nice had the lion's share of possession in the opening half
but it took a while to create an opportunity.
The ex-Monaco man failing to score against his former side.
Philip Kern beat away his effort.
Next up it was Teran Mofi forcing a stop from the keeper.
Bouncing on the loose ball.
This is looking like they would hit the first half of the stronger
but Monaco woke up in added time and after a van der Sint shot
nearly found its way past Bulka,
Baligan forced the keeper to tip a header onto the post.
Frustrating half for Baligan.
Reasons for optimism for Adi Huta and his side.
Particularly considering Monaco have won 56 games against Nice in all competitions.
Their joint highest tally against an opponent tied with Lyon.
The second half wouldn't get any better for Monaco and particularly Baligan though.
Just like in the first half, 10 minutes after the whistle, Monaco awarded a penalty.
This time Sanson penalised for a foul on Takumi Minamino.
Referee eventually pointing to the spot.
Take two.
Baligan decided to go with power over precision but where Bulka went the right way the first time
this time correctly staying in the middle.
Baligan and the unwanted statistic of becoming the first player to miss two penalties
in the same Ligue 1 Uber Eats game since Toefilu Maolida was there in 2007.
Clearly not his night.
Tony Boga came off the bench for Diop shortly after the hour mark
and provided a corner that might have broken the deadlock
but Hendaye Chimier took his header smack back off the crossbar.
A couple of other chances failing to find the net.
Game paired destined to end goalless.
That was before Boga intervened though, motoring onto a Melvin Barbour,
racing away from van der Zandt, evading the challenge of Wilfried Zingo
and firing in a superb individual goal.
He's first for his new club since his summer arrival to settle the game in Nice's favour
and leave his club unbeaten after the first six games of a new season
for only the second time this millennium.
This is the fourth time in 16 short trips to the Stade Louis-Dieu
that Nice have departed with all three points.
I think so on this occasion was enough for not just the local bragging rights
but also a spot at the top of the table, at least for about 24 hours.