Auxerre Secures Late Equaliser to Level Match Against 10-Man Nice in Ligue 1

Nice extended their unbeaten run against Auxerre at home to six matches (W4, D2), but the side will undoubtedly feel aggrieved after conceding a late equaliser, resulting in a 1-1 draw in Ligue 1. This outcome denied them the chance to draw level on points with second-placed Marseille.

Auxerre, currently sitting 11th, made their way to the Allianz Riviera following an impressive 2-0 victory over Reims last week. During the early stages, they would have been content as Nice struggled to create meaningful chances in what was a match lacking in attacking flair.

In fact, the first shot didn’t arrive until the 25th minute when Hamed Traoré, Auxerre’s top scorer this season, had his effort comfortably saved by Marcin Bułka. However, Nice took the lead in the 38th minute.

Gaëtan Laborde’s shot was deflected behind by Gabriel Osho, and from the resulting corner taken by Tom Louchet, Laborde nodded the ball on, allowing Evann Guessand to head in at the back post, thanks to an unfortunate touch from Kévin Danois. The goal was officially credited to Guessand, marking his 12th of the season across all competitions.

Nice finished the first half strongly and started the second period with a degree of comfort, with Traoré’s missed curling shot being the only moment of concern.

An overhead kick from Hicham Boudaoui nearly doubled Nice’s advantage in the 54th minute, but the attempt went over. Soon after, Melvin Bard also failed to hit the target from a good position.

At the other end, Bard could have created an assist, but his inviting cross just eluded Boudaoui, while Traoré was again kept at bay by Bułka.

Following Traoré’s attempt, he sustained an injury and was replaced by Lassine Sinayoko as part of a triple substitution for Auxerre. Bard later could have been awarded a penalty after a risky challenge from Sinaly Diomandé, but Louchet couldn’t beat goalie Donovan Léon.

Towards the end of the match, Auxerre ramped up their efforts for an equaliser. After Mohamed Ali-Cho missed a chance to make it 2-0 and Bard was shown a red card, Ado Onaiwu’s pinpoint through ball found fellow substitute Florian Ayé, who finished superbly deep into stoppage time.

Auxerre’s quest for consecutive away wins in Ligue 1, a feat they haven’t accomplished since October 2010, continues. Nonetheless, they will return to their home ground buoyed by this performance, preparing to face bottom-of-the-table Montpellier after the international break. Meanwhile, Nice will head to Monaco, another team vying for a top-three finish, earlier that same weekend.

See a summary of the match here