Football: OGC Nice concludes its preparation with a solid draw at Hull City

For its last summer fixture, OGC Nice held their own against Premier League newcomers Hull City (0‑0), following a controlled but frustrating match in terms of finishing, a week before hosting Lorient in Ligue 1.

This fifth and final friendly match of the summer was supposed to give the Gym an accurate picture of their fitness level before entering the league competition. After two victories against Nîmes then Marseille before two defeats at Juventus then on penalties at Cagliari, the Nice players arrived at the MKM Stadium with a slightly reshuffled eleven, marked by the absence of Laurent Abergel, victim of an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, and the starting of Victor Orakpo up front. Against Hull City, promoted to the Premier League, the objective was clear: confirm their patterns of play, maintain the quality of play seen in recent weeks and validate their bearings before August 22.

A serious first half, rhythmic and generally controlled

The match started in English fashion: Hull City pressed high and forced Nice to play long to get out of their half. It took until the 7th minute to see the Eagles establish their first dangerous sequence.Gauthier Hein, freshly arrived on the Côte d’Azur, recovered a high ball to launch Jonathan Clauss on the right side, but the slight contact with John Egan was not enough to obtain a penalty.

Gradually, Nice imposed their pace. Sofiane Diop registered the first on-target shot (15th minute), before Belloumi tested Yehvann Diouf, who made a remarkable left-handed save (16th). The Gym then took control of the game: impact in duels, precision in passing, constant mobility between the lines. Sofiane Diop multiplied attempts, Gauthier Hein pushed forward, Malvin Bard attacked down the flank… but finishing was problematic.

The biggest chance came just before halftime. On a cutback from Djibril Coulibaly, captain Jonathan Clauss whipped in a hard cross to the near post. Orakpo struck from point-blank range, but goalkeeper Tzolakis pushed the attempt away. Sofiane Diop had followed up, but also ran into the Greek keeper. A double opportunity that summed up the first half: Nice builds, Nice dominates, but Nice doesn’t score. The score remains goalless at halftime.

A second half in continuation, then slowed by substitutions

The restart didn’t change the match’s character. OGC Nice held the ball, combining play, but still lacked sharpness in the box.Sofiane Diop, very active, lacked conviction on an action initiated by a fine outside pass from Jonathan Clauss.The hour mark signaled the start of substitutions: Oppong and Diallo replaced Mendy and Orakpo, without changing the overall balance.

The match lost fluidity, the challenges briefly intensified between Youssouf and McBurnie, then the pace dropped. Yehvann Diouf nevertheless distinguished himself again on an English header approaching the final quarter of an hour. Mandza, suffering from cramps after a solid performance, gave way to Bombito before Camara replaced Coulibaly, influential in midfield.

The end of the match played out at a slower tempo, without any real clear-cut chances. The referee only allowed a few seconds of added time before sending both teams back to the changing rooms seemingly satisfied with their match (0-0).

The Eagles thus conclude their preparation with a coherent draw, marked by collective control but offensive efficiency still to be refined. This draw at Hull City confirms a trend: the Gym is progressing in their play, controlling their sequences, defending seriously, but must stillimprove their cutting edge in the opposition box. A week before hosting Lorient, the bearings are there, the intentions too. What remains is to convert quality of play into goals.