Almost a week after its resounding success in Monaco (3-0), OGC Nice failed to continue on its lawn. It must be said that the face of the match was not at all the same: masters of the ball, the Aiglons struggled to pack the game this Friday evening.
On their lawn, the Niçois lacked rhythm and accuracy against the low and compact block of the Auxerrois. They were even surprised by Gauthier Hein, well served in the area and very fair to conclude between the legs of Kasper Schmeichel in the first period (0-1, 36th).
Le Gym could have come back to score a few minutes later, but goalkeeper Ionut Radu pushed back Gaëtan Laborde’s penalty (42nd) caused by Khephren Thuram.
The former Rennes player finally equalized just before the break: alone in the area, he converted Jordan Lotomba’s superb cross from the right with a header and put his own in the right direction (1-1, 45 + 1e) .
Nice’s only goal of a generally dull meeting (1-1 final score), despite the fine strike on the bar by Hicham Boudaoui (59th) in the second half. Didier Digard remains undefeated since his appointment on the bench but he surely hoped to see his team deliver a more convincing match this Friday evening. Le Gym is held back and remains four points behind fifth-placed Rennes.