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

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