OGC Nice – PSG: Parisians lay down the law at Allianz Riviera

This Saturday, OGC Nice welcomed the league leaders, Paris Saint-Germain, on the occasion of the 28th matchday of Ligue 1. Despite an interesting performance, Elye Wahi’s teammates fell victim to Parisian realism (0-4). A defeat that slowed down the Eagles in their survival mission.

Was this OGC Nice capable of pulling off a major upset? A week after their victory against Angers, the Eagles wanted to confirm their revival against the Ligue 1 leaders, Paris Saint-Germain. On paper, the outcome of the match was beyond doubt, but Claude Puel had devised an unprecedented game plan against the capital’s men.

In a largely defensive game scheme, the Gym coach recalled Youssouf Ndayishimyie – for his first elite start in over a year – in front of a defense with three center-backs. Up front, Elye Wahi, back as a starter, was paired with Sofiane Diop.

OGC Nice wronged by refereeing again

Under these conditions, the Parisians strung together long sequences with the ball at their feet. However, the PSG was not really threatening. The teammates of Yehvann Diouf were well positioned, disciplined in defensive withdrawals and attentive to any lightning counter-attacking opportunities. Offensively, Dante’s header did not find the target, and Wahi was not far from connecting with a cross from Jonathan Clauss.

The turning point came just before halftime. Following a corner, the match referee, Monsieur Delajod, was called upon by VAR – under intense pressure from the Parisian players. The official awarded Paris a penalty for a handball in the area by Morgan Sanson, which was then converted by Nuno Mendes (0-1, 42′). While the ball did touch the Nice midfielder, he was less than two meters from his opponent and Désiré Doué’s shot did not appear to be on target. Tough luck for OGC Nice, already penalized by the inconsistency of French refereeing in recent weeks. Just days earlier, the red and black club had not hesitated to publish a statement on the matter.

Hope followed by glaring shortcomings

Around a serious collective performance, OGC Nice deserved better. Still dazed upon returning from the dressing room, the Eagles were punished by Parisian ruthlessness (0-2, 50′). Doué finished off a good collective move. And the red and black evening was to get even darker with the expulsion of Youssouf, just before the hour mark. For his grand return to the Nice lineup, the Burundian international committed a nasty stomp on Lee. Logically, he headed back to the dressing room before the end of the match.

Down to ten men, Claude Puel’s players tightened their ranks to avoid a heavy defeat. Preventing a collapse of Nice’s goal difference also matters in the race for survival. That was not to be the case tonight at the Allianz Riviera. Dro Fernandez (0-3, 81′), then Warren Zaïre-Emery (0-4, 86′), made the scoreline worse in the closing stages (0-3, 81′). After this defeat, Nice made the worst move of the day. Earlier in the afternoon, AJ Auxerre won against Brest (3-0). Auxerre closed the gap and are now just five points behind the Nice side. Nothing is decided yet in the bottom of the table. Elye Wahi and his teammates have only seven matches left to play, seven finals to save the Gym from a tragic end to the season.

With the return of the international break, it’s time for rest for OGC Nice. The Eagles will return on Saturday, April 4 with a trip to Strasbourg’s ground. Kick-off at 5 p.m.