Ligue 1: beaten at Auxerre, OGC Nice is in the playoff zone

This Sunday evening, OGC Nice was away at Auxerre, on the occasion of the 33rd and penultimate day of Ligue 1. Facing a direct competitor at the bottom of the table, the Gym lost despite taking the lead (1-2). The future of the Eagles, now in playoff position, in the elite of French football is more than ever in danger.

The pressure was felt from all sides this Sunday at the Abbé-Deschamps. In the midst of a battle for their survival, OGC Nice and AJ Auxerre have no choice: victory is mandatory in this 33rd day of Ligue 1. Before the kick-off of this match, the equation is simple: if AJA wins, Nice would fall behind their opponent for the evening, in 16th place – synonymous with future playoffs. Conversely, a red and black victory would officially secure survival for Nice, after several weeks of struggles and disappointments. The Eagles have their first match point. The calculations are made, now it’s time to play!

On the lineup side, Claude Puel didn’t reserve any major surprises in his starting eleven. While Jonathan Clauss – long rumored to be uncertain – was fit to keep his place, the same was not true for Elye Wahi. OGC Nice’s striker was starting this crucial match on the bench. In a tense match, the Gym opened the scoring quickly (0-1, 9′). Well found in depth by Clauss, Cho ran into the opposing goalkeeper. But Sofiane Diop followed well to push the ball into the net. With this goal, the Moroccan international ends three and a half months of drought, without scoring a single goal in Ligue 1. The Eagles make a strong start!

OGC Nice opens the scoring, but Auxerre responds immediately

This goal rewarded a very good opening quarter of an hour from OGC Nice. Gradually, the Eagles let their opponent back into the match, until conceding on the first real Auxerre opportunity of the encounter (1-1, 27′). Following a cross from the right, Mendy poorly cleared the ball down the center of the field. Sékou Mara didn’t need asking twice. The AJA attacker took advantage of the gift to bring both teams level. The Gym had a good start, had perfectly begun this clash, but then lowered their guard and paid the price. Everything is to do again!

“We had a good start. After the goal, we fell back and stopped playing”, said Claude Puel at the return to the dressing room, speaking to Ligue 1+. The OGC Nice tactician is not entirely satisfied with the first forty-five minutes of his team. The Eagles needed to do better, to offer more. Shortly after, Cho was the author of a nice shot from twenty meters, Léon, alert, intervened easily on this Nice attempt. On a free kick, Juma Bah thought he could give his side the advantage. The Sierra Leonean defender was ultimately flagged offside, the Nice center-back was too far ahead of his opponents in this situation.

Nice collapses and becomes playoff-bound

With this OGC Nice, we’re starting to know the song. Once again, the Eagles crack first. By offering nothing, you are logically punished. AJA was the only team playing this evening, on the field at Abbé-Deschamps, and logically took the lead (2-1, 70′). After good build-up play, Lassine Sinayoko found the opposing net. Yehvann Diouf is not entirely blameless in this situation. The Senegalese goalkeeper had left space, far too much room at his near post. Sinayoko’s cunning then made the difference.

In a closing stage that went against them, nothing was working in the favor of Claude Puel’s men. A defensive intervention on the line was needed to deny Isak Jansson an equalizer. There wasn’t much missing either from Wahi, after a superb slalom. OGC Nice loses for the 16th time this season in Ligue 1, perhaps the most important match not to lose. After this umpteenth underperformance, the Eagles are overtaken by their opponent this evening and now occupy a worrying 16th place, sign of potential playoffs. With one match left in the championship, the Nice side no longer have their destiny in their own hands.

There is still one Ligue 1 match to play for OGC Nice. For this final day of the 2025/26 season, the Gym will host FC Metz – 18th and assured of finishing last in the championship – at the Allianz Riviera, next Sunday, May 17. Victory is mandatory or face the playoffs. Kick-off scheduled for 9pm.