Picture: OM.net

1st Team

OM - Nice (1-0) - Balotelli winner seals points for OM

Posted by
OM.net
On Sunday 10 March 2019 at 10:13

Olympique de Marseille extended the unbeaten run to six with a slender 1-0 win over OGC Nice in the south coast derby at the Orange Velodrome on Sunday evening.

Following last week’s comfortable 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne, OM faced a stern test in Patrick Vieira’s side who themselves were keen to get back up the league table.

Rudi Garcia’s side started strongly however, with plenty of opportunities for the hosts inside the first 15 minutes. Florian Thauvin came closest with an effort that nearly bamboozled Walter Benitez, but the Nice keeper also kept out Mario Balotelli and Lucas Ocampos in a busy period.

The visitors did have a chance or two for themselves as Allan Saint Maximin broke free of the defence to force Steve Mandanda into a smart save.

The second half lacked the intensity of the first as Nice grew in confidence to try and stifle the hosts in search of a point.

But their resolve was broken on the hour when Florian Thauvin’s cross was met by the head of Mario Balotelli, who struck against his former side and continued his fine run of scoring at the Velodrome for the sixth game straight.

Neither side were able to fashion chances towards the end as OM held on to move to within three points of the podium.

The Olympiens travel to the capital next weekend to face Paris Saint-Germain.