OGC Nice: In the rain, the Gym punishes OM

Marseille and OGC Nice faced off behind closed doors in a warm-up match played in the rain at the Robert-Louis-Dreyfus center. Despite dominant possession from Marseille, Gym took advantage of quick transitions and defensive errors to win (3-0).

A month before the Ligue 1 season resumes, Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice added a discreet but instructive encounter to their summer preparation. Scheduled surprisingly just days ago behind closed doors at the Robert-Louis-Dreyfus training center, this friendly match was meant to allow both coaching staffs to assess the progress of work undertaken since resumption. Marseille came off a controlled victory over FC Yamoussoukro (0-3), while Nice approached this second match under the direction of Olivier Pantaloni, after a convincing start against Nîmes (4-0).

The context was particular: a minute of silence was observed in tribute to Eric Roy, who passed away on June 17. A solemn atmosphere before a match that, despite its friendly nature, quickly intensified.

An animated start to the match

Barely after kickoff, OGC Nice created their first opportunity. Isak Jansson broke down the right wing and crossed for Jonathan Clauss, captain once again, whose finish lacked precision. Marseille reacted immediately by taking possession. Bruno Génésio’s players established high possession, obtaining two free kicks and attempted to build speed into their passing. Paixão shot first, then called upon Teddy Boulhendi, who made a decisive save in the 17th minute on a chipped ball.

The Eagles, until then managing the game, struck on their first real attacking move. At the 21st minute, Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga and Sofiane Diop combined down the middle, taking advantage of spaces left by the Marseille defense, and Mantsounga finished into the far corner. A simple, quick action that illustrated Nice’s game plan: defend low and exploit transitions.

Rain then arrived at the training center, making the pitch more slippery. Marseille tried to react, but another defensive error proved costly. In the 41st minute, Sofian Diop intercepted a poorly handled ball in front of the area to double the lead with a sharp strike. Just before halftime, Hojbjerg attempted to reduce the deficit, but his effort was deflected. Nice led 0-2 at halftime, thanks to maximum efficiency and lucid game management.

A second half dominated by Marseille but controlled by OGC Nice

The return from the dressing room confirmed the trend: Marseille monopolized the ball but struggled to create openings. The Nice players, well-positioned, covered spaces and anticipated long balls over the defense. Substitutions multiplied as usual, including the entry of goalkeeper Martin Ponsot, quickly called upon. In the 68th minute, he pushed away a Paixão shot, him again. And as in the first half, punishment came immediately.

On a counter-attack led by Victor Orakpo, the red and blacks traversed the field in just a few passes. Issiaga Camara concluded a beautiful collective move to make it 0-3, in a scenario identical to the first half: Marseille pushes, Nice strikes.

The Marseille side thought they could reduce the deficit four minutes later, but Martin Ponsot pushed away a shot before a Nice defender saved on the line. The rain intensified, which prompted the referee to end the match in the 89th minute. Marseille had possession, but OGC Nice had the clarity and precision.

Nice wins (3-0) in a match where realism made the difference. The Eagles knew how to exploit every space left by a Marseille team still finding their rhythm. For Olivier Pantaloni, this victory confirms an encouraging momentum. For Marseille, ball control is not yet enough to compensate for defensive lapses. A preparation match rich in lessons, played in a particular atmosphere and under fickle weather. Next appointment for Gym, Friday July 31 in Turin on Juventus’s pitch.