PLAYER RATINGS | Nice 1-0 Metz: Evann Guessand goal consolidates Nice’s second place | OneFootball

Ligue 1 Uber Eats, Round 19, 27/01/2024

As they so often have this season, OGC Nice edged a tight encounter against relegation-threatened FC Metz. Evann Guessand’s second-half penalty was enough to secure the three points for Francesco Farioli’s men, which consolidates Le Gym’s second place in Ligue 1.

Metz set up their stall from the offset, showing little ambition, but posing plenty of problems for Nice, who struggled to find a way through. Guessand thought he’d done enough to provide the opportunity for an early breakthrough when he was felled in the box by Alexandre Oukidja, but the penalty was ultimately overturned with Mohamed-Ali Cho adjudged to have been offisde in the build-up.

Chances were very much at a premium with the best of Nice’s chances falling to the returning Khéphren Thuram, who couldn’t get the power or direction on his free header. Ismaël Traore had Les Grenats’ best chance, but free within the six-yard box, he chose to try and hip in a dangerous corner but got little on it.

Despite Cho and Gaëtan Laborde switching sides in the second-half, it was the same story. Les Aiglons didn’t have the key to unlock Metz’s tight defence and the home crowd began to get restless. However, Guessand, with his hold-up play and his runs in behind, posed a constant threat, and one of his runs behind was picked out. He was then clumsily brought down by Kevin N’Doram and Stéphanie Frappart had no choice but to point to the spot.

Guessand then stepped up confidently to dispatch the penalty that ultimately gifted Nice the win. In need of a goal, Metz opened up and good chances fell to Alexis Claude-Maurice and then Sofiane Diop. Whilst neither chance was converted, it ultimately proved inconsequential.

Nice held on for the win comfortably with Metz proving no threat going forward. Farioli’s side temporarily close the gap to Paris Saint-Germain to five points, whilst Metz, who have lost their last six in Ligue 1, could drop into the relegation zone if results elsewhere go against them later this weekend.

Nice player ratings

Marcin Bulka – 5

Melvin Bard – 6

Bard’s excellent season continued with another good showing against Metz. It was his ball behind the defence that found Guessand in the first half, which led to the ultimately overturned penalty. He then made a crucial intervention from Georges Mikautadze when the Georgian had the beating of Dante within the Nice penalty area. An accomplished performance from a player who is delivering on the promise he showed when coming through at Olympique Lyonnais.

Dante – 5

Jean-Clair Todibo – 6

Jordan Lotomba – 4

Khéphren Thuram – 6

The returning Thuram looked the most likely player to unlock Metz’s organised defence. The France international has been accused of being a little more discrete under Francesco Farioli but his directness and ball-carrying were on full display against Metz. As he works his way back to full fitness following a knee injury, he was replaced just after the hour mark.

Youssouf Ndayishimiye – 5

Morgan Sanson – 5

Gaëtan Laborde – 4

Evann Guessand – 7

The academy product is stepping up in Terem Moffi’s absence, even proving to be an upgrade on the Nigeria international in some facets of his play. Guessand’s hold-up play brought others into play and even allowed him to spin in behind, whilst he also made good runs in behind. One led to a penalty that was overturned, the other to a penalty that stood. After being brought down by N’Doram, Guessand then stood up himself to convert confidently.

Mohamed-Ali Cho – 4

He struggled out on the left in the first half and looked out of sync with his new teammates. He was switched to the right at the start of the second half and immediately looked more dangerous when able to cut inside on his left foot, but he was wasteful with some poor crossing—replaced just after the hour mark by Sofiane Diop.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle