Ligue 1: OGC Nice succumbs to Paris FC’s dominance

OGC Nice faced Paris FC in the capital this Sunday afternoon. The Eagles, who suffered the brunt of Paris’s offensive firepower, suffered a heavy defeat (3-0).

After a goalless draw against FC Lorient, the Eagles were in search of their first goal of the season on the occasion of this trip to the capital. But against an ambitious team like Paris FC under Liam Rosenior, the task was not simple.

For this first away trip in Ligue 1 version 2026-2027, Olivier Pantaloni went back to much the same approach. In defense, Mohamed Abdelmonem regained a starting place for the first time since his serious injury. Axel Witsel makes his first appearance in midfield alongside Djibril Coulibaly. As mentioned in the press conference, it is Nathan Ngoumou who plays up front, still with Gauthier Hein and Sofiane Diop to accompany him. Elye Wahi was present and started on the bench.

The stat: OGC Nice has never beaten Paris FC away (five matches for five defeats).

A fatal moment of absence

No real feeling-out period in this match, both teams quickly trying to look dangerous. In the 2nd minute, a good Nice move concluded with a cross towards Nathan Ngoumou, too short for him to head the ball. At the 11th, after a nice ball switch on the left side, Sofiane Diop struck without control from the edge of the box, straight into the hands of Kévin Trapp.

But in the 17th minute, on a deflection from Sinayoko, Kebbal ran for goal before being brought down in the box by Ndayishimiye. Penalty according to Jérémy Stinat. Without hesitation, Sinayoko caught Yehvann Diouf off his line to allow Paris FC to open the scoring (1-0).

This goal seemed to put the Nice players to sleep, who were still lacking connection and technical precision. Things did improve as the half-hour mark approached, with the Eagles managing to hold the ball better. On a fine pass from Sofiane Diop, Ngoumou struck into the far left corner.

“We weren’t in too much difficulty despite this goal. We need to press them higher and have better conviction“, analyzed Gauthier Hein at half-time.

Elye Wahi’s introduction is not enough

Nice’s positive intentions from the first half evaporated immediately after the restart. In the 51st minute, a very high recovery by Samir Chergui on Melvin Bard launched a fatal attack. The centre-back pushed forward and, set up by Kebbal, beat Yehvann Diouf at the near post with a low drive (2-0).

At the hour mark, Olivier Pantaloni brought on Elye Wahi, in a moment awaited by Nice supporters. The entry of the Ivorian forward immediately revived his team. Five minutes later, he found Jonathan Clauss perfectly alone at the far post, but the Nice captain’s shot was saved by Trapp over his goal. Shortly after, Junior Mandza fired from distance, straight down the middle, and it was punched away by the Paris goalkeeper.

Paris FC had the luxury of the last chance in the 89th minute. On a service from Patrick Zabi, Vincent Marchetti, at the penalty spot, sealed the final score (3-0).

“We had a good first half, but in the second we fell short. We take too long to get the ball moving“, regretted Melvin Bard after the match.

The last away victory for OGC Nice in Ligue 1 dates back to March, against Angers. Next Saturday against Le Mans (8:45 PM), Olivier Pantaloni’s men must absolutely get their season started.