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

Looking to get back to winning ways following defeat last time out, Strasbourg welcomed Champions League-chasing Nice to La Menue on Sunday afternoon. Narassingh were narrowly defeated at the home of potential podium-sitters Lille last time out, but could officially secure their survival with a win here, seven points ahead of 16-place Metz at kick-off. Desaiglon, meanwhile, secured a point in an entertaining game away at Marseille, enough to just about keep them in touch with the top four. Strasbourg's confidence on home soil was clear following their back-to-back wins at La Menue, and Dylan Bakker's skidding strike from 25 yards is a great example of that. Very unfortunate to see the ball come back off the upright, simply struck the rebound, less convincing. It was also a sign of things to come, as the Marching Bull Cup could only push Emmanuel Omega's shot into the path of Bakker, who duly fired home his first league goal since February. High into the net, but now involved in seven league goals in 2024, two goals and five assists. Highest tally amongst players aged 21 or under in this calendar year. Desaiglon had failed to score in their previous two visits to Strasbourg, but that was not to be the case on this day. Again, control of the game, and just before halftime, Mohamed Ali chose jinking run into the box through a clumsy foul from Thomas Delene for a penalty. Ivan Gerson, the man to step up, making no mistake, finding a way past Alain Bellarouche to become the first Nice player to score at La Menue since 2020. Francesco Barioli's outfit carried their momentum into the second period. After a 15 minute break, took the lead just seven minutes after the restart. Stem from a mix-up at the back. Diarra frustrated with his teammates. There's not a lot he can do in truth. Either way, from the resulting corner, Jeremy Boga picked out Dante, a 40 year old with a towering header. Too much power for Bellarouche to keep the header out. 40 years and 193 days. Dante becomes the second player to score in their 40s since 1956. Changes, which is the introduction of Morgan Sanson. There, the home side struggled to rediscover their early attacking threat as Nice kept the ball for long periods, and in the closing stages, they pounced on the counter-attack. Super sub Sanson delivering the final blow, poking a low finish past Bellarouche into the bottom corner. Strasbourg having left gaping holes in their pursuit of a level up. Humbler-Rosario was made for an interesting end. Reflecting to his own post. However, Nice are refinding form at a crucial time. Three wins in five now, and now five points clear of six-place longs. That's about to beat Leeds-Strasbourg with at least one eye over their shoulder.