(Ligue 1 2023/2024): Highlights REIMS - NICE

It was take two for Nice as they tried to put their awful run behind them, this time in Champagne country against Reims. What had started out as Champagne problems for a Nice side battling for second place has turned into something far more serious. Just one point from five games in February and early March saw them drop out of the top five altogether. They returned to winning ways at Lens before the international break, but then another loss last time out against Nantes. Nonetheless, back in the top five, albeit only just, coming into this weekend. If they left without a point again, Nantes would move to within one of their visitors, coming into the weekend ninth, but with their unlikely European hopes rekindled by a three-match unbeaten streak. Early on, it was clear that Nice had no intention of making it seven league defeats. The same tally of league losses they accrued in the whole of 2023. Teren Mofi lost an early chance thanks to the speed, strength and perseverance of Jeremy Boga. Bursting inside from the left wing, picking out the Nigerian, he though could only fire his effort at the wrong side of the post. Well-timed run and pass, but a very narrow gap between keeper and far post, which Mofi couldn't quite pick out. Nantes looked to create something in response. Impatient build-up play around the edge of the box, which eventually led to their promising 18-year-old midfielder, Valonta Antangana Edoa, stinging the palms, Martin Buka. Crawled inside, the Stade Auguste d'Olonne were treated to an end-to-end opening call to an hour. But after that, the lion's share of the first-half chances very much belonged to Nice. After that one save, the keeper at that end of the pitch, not really worried again. Despite Nice's number of chances, there would be no goals. Somehow, even when it looked very likely, Boga scored the match-winner in December's reverse fixture. With a huge portion of the goal to aim at, somehow missed the target entirely. This time it was Nice with the patient build-up play, well worked. Recovering, Yerhan Youth diving into the goal. Boga overcompensating. So goalless at the halfway point, but not for the lack of trying. The lack of goals has been a trait of Nice's season throughout. It worked well for them initially. Huge number of 1-0 wins. A few goalless draws here and there. It has, in more recent times, become their downfall. Inability to find the back of the net. When the game got back underway, they set about trying to change that trend of this campaign. It would be a struggle once again. Francesco Ferraioli watching on from the sidelines. It was Rantz who produced the first chance of note in the second half. Lovely ball through for Oumar Diokite. From a narrow angle, able to find the legs of Bouka. On the despairing dive of Dante. The veteran defender able to tidy up after. Into the final 15 minutes. The last chance of note would come at the other end. It would go the way of Khephren Thuram. Headed, however, straight at Youth. And that would be that. No other significant goal mouth action in a lacklustre second half. So a somewhat subpar result for both sides. But one that sees Nice hang on to fifth spot. And Rantz, surprisingly, gain two spots up to seventh. After both Rennes and Marseille lost.