Nigerian forward Terem Moffi’s goal proved to be a consolation as his side OGC Nice were thrashed on the road by Brest.
Ludovic Ajorque put Brest in front six minutes into the game, and Romain Del Castillo doubled the advantage three minutes later.
Moffi pulled one back in the 30th minute, giving Nice hope, but they couldn’t capitalize on it as they conceded two more goals in the second half Joris Chotard in the 70th minute and Remy Lascary in the 76th.
Ajorque was the standout player of the match; aside from his goal, he also had three assists.
Individually, Moffi didn’t have a bad outing. He scored a goal, completed 80% of his passes one of which was into the final third.
He also helped the team defensively with one clearance and won 50% of his ground duels.
Nice coach Franck Haise blamed defensive lapses for his side’s loss:
“We conceded four. We weren’t always very accurate. We actually created more chances than our opponents. But being 2–0 down in Brest after just nine minutes that’s not what we had in mind. We’re giving away too much defensively.”
He also emphasized the team’s defensive errors, saying that team captain Dante could not have helped remedy the situation:
“Even if Dante had played today, I’m not sure he would’ve been able to defend the first goal better, because he wasn’t involved in that part of the action.
“Of course, Dante plays an important role in calming our young central defenders, who have made too many mistakes since the start of the season. But they too need to evolve, grow, and correct these errors.
“We review video footage every week, and unfortunately, these same mistakes keep happening often the exact same ones.”
Haise went further to say his players don’t show efficiency in games:
“We’re clearly falling short, that’s a fact. I’m not saying there aren’t reasons to be hopeful there are positive things outside the penalty areas. But at the top level, the essence of football is efficiency.
“You can play well, but if you’re not efficient that’s one of the most critical aspects at this level.”
The gaffer also said his players must improve collectively to avoid defensive errors:
“I’m not here to worry, I’m here to work. My role is to help the players, whether they’re playing now or will come in later, correct their mistakes.
“Obviously, some of the upcoming games will be even tougher than tonight’s, starting with Wednesday’s against Roma, and others in the coming weeks. We need to be sharper, more efficient, in every aspect.
“Look at the fourth goal we conceded, we should’ve dealt with that better from the start of the action. Yes, there are individual mistakes, but above all, it’s a collective issue. We need to improve as a team.”
Nice’s next game will be in the UEFA Europa League against Roma. When Haise was asked how he plans to prepare his players for the tie, he said:
“In four days, we go again. Four days after that, it’s Paris FC, then Fenerbahçe four days later. We’ve got five games in two weeks. And after the international break, we’ll have seven matches in three weeks.
“This is it, we’re in it. That means we have to work, even though we’ll have very little time. Video sessions, individual and team corrections, they need to be useful, and we’ll do even more. The few training sessions we do have, and the games themselves, must help us improve.
“We’re facing a big opponent next, and we’ll need to put in a top performance just to be at the required level.
“Then we’ll need a second strong showing, staying focused right from the first minute to the 95th because we’re up against a formidable opponent.”
Nice’s Europa League clash against Roma provides an opportunity for the French side to turn things around after a turbulent start to the season with two wins and three losses.
A win against Roma might be what the club needs to build momentum.
