OGC Nice manager Francesco Farioli has admonished Terme Moffi for his performance in the Eagles’ 2-0 Ligue win over Strasbourg on Sunday.
The Nigerian forward scored the second goal of the game in the second half after Algeria full-back Youcef Atal had netted the opener in the first half.
It was Moffi’s first goal since he made his move to Nice permanent this summer after spending the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan from Lorient.
Farioli stated that Moffi could have scored more goals and stressed on the Buckswood Football Academy graduate’s presence bringing unpredictability to the opposition.
“In my opinion, we were a bit too harsh in the previous matches. I think the only thing that was different tonight compared to what we had seen before, especially in the last two games, is the result,” Farioli said on the club website.
CLINICAL FINISH BY TEREM MOFFI ⚽???????? pic.twitter.com/NJ6G50oDgb
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) September 3, 2023
“As we mentioned in the pre-match press conference, it was important to be efficient in front of goal. We scored two goals, but we could probably have scored a few more. There is still a lot to improve. Terem could have scored another goal, Jeremie [Boga] and Morgan [ Sanson] as well.
“There were plenty of opportunities. This is an important step, but it doesn’t change my opinion that we are on the right path and, at the same time, there is still a lot to improve.
“He [Moffi] succeeded in better alternating between moments when he needed to drop back. The move leading to his goal was beautiful because he attacked the depth from a recovered ball. This week, you asked me if Terem was the ideal forward for our style of play.
“As I mentioned, he’s a player who brings us a lot, with unique characteristics. Completing his skill set and understanding when to drop back and when to find space are things that take a bit of time. He played a good match because he generated three or four chances with his movement, including a very nice move in the second half, where he pivoted to set up Morgan with a chance on goal.
“He allows us to be unpredictable, to have different options. This match is also a small step forward for him.”
Sunday’s victory was Nice’s first of the season after three straight draws against Lille, Lorient and Lyon. The French coast outfit will host current Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain on September 15 after the international break.
