PARIS (AP) — Second-place Nice escaped with a 0-0 draw in the French league on Saturday after captain Dante was sent off and Montpellier midfielder Teji Savanier fluffed a first-half penalty.
Nice is 12 points behind runaway leader Paris Saint-Germain and three points ahead of Marseille, which can move level if it wins at Brest on Sunday. Second spot guarantees qualification for the Champions League.
The 38-year-old Dante has won the competition in the red jersey of former club Bayern Munich. He saw red in the 35th minute on Saturday after fouling Elye Wahi, a lively striker who is half his age.
Savanier is one of the league’s best midfielders, but he tried a Panenka-style spot kick for the hosts from a two-step run-up. Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez didn’t fall for it and made an easy save.
Dante, who scored a superbly taken Panenka when Nice knocked PSG out of the French Cup, will have been relieved.
Benitez was beaten shortly after the break, but forward Valere Germain’s shot hit the post.
Later Saturday, coach Antoine Kombouare’s in-form Nantes visited struggling Troyes, looking for a sixth win in the last seven games overall.
