OGC Nice suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes yesterday. A harsh score in light of the first half but more logical in the second.
The early match scenario gave them hope for an upset. Dominant in ball circulation in the midfield, the Nice team put on a good display from the start. And while Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed his efficiency by opening the scoring against the run of play in the 14th minute, Nice did not forget their principles. The Gym did not panic; instead, they reacted perfectly through their livewire, Hatem Ben Arfa.
Not sufficiently challenged by the phantasmal David Luiz, the prodigy trained in Lyon did not hesitate to curl a perfect shot in the 18th minute. Enough to beat Kevin Trapp and give confidence to an OGC Nice team that impressed with its composed buildup play. Well aided, it must be said, by a Paris not aggressively pressing, the red and blacks played their game. As usual. But also as usual, PSG could count their blessings for having Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks.
Ibracadabra
Perfect in his choices, the Swede capitalized on his current success by scoring a valuable double in the first half. With an overpowering and perfectly placed free-kick into the top corner from 18 meters. At no point did the giant hide his intention. Everything in the free-kick was readable and predictable. But his surgical precision still allowed him to score. And to put a small Paris on tracks that led them to a large victory.
For the PSG in the second half did not show the same face. The hosts woke up the Parc by setting a completely different rhythm right from the restart. And following another play by Ibra, it was from a set-piece that the capital club made the difference. Frequently overrun by Ben Arfa or Plea, David Luiz redeemed himself by scoring a header to give Paris a 3-1 lead. This time, Nice could not find the resources.
This goal drained them both physically and mentally. And even if Paris toned it down afterward, OGC no longer had clear ideas. Not enough to come back, not enough to prevent Ibrahimovic from achieving a hat-trick at the end of the match. Very clearly, the Swede was once again the big winner of the game. He has scored thirty times in only twenty-six league matches this season. Enough to completely silence those who thought he was washed up in September. Enough, once more tonight, to overcome a valiant OGC Nice.
Photo credit and more information at www.ogcnice.com
PSG 4 – 1 OGC Nice
Lineups
Paris SG: Trapp – Marquinhos, David Luiz, Silva, Maxwell – Matuidi, Motta (Stambouli 68′), Rabiot – Ongenda (Cavani 68′), Ibrahimovic, Lucas (Nkunku 80′).
OGC Nice: Cardinale – Ricardo, Baysse, Le Marchand, Hult – Koziello (Wallyson 63′), N.Mendy (captain), Seri (Dada 89′) – Ben Arfa – Plea (Honorat 63′), Germain.
Goals: Ibrahimovic (15′, 34′, 82′), David Luiz (48′) for Paris; Ben Arfa (18′) for Nice.
Warning: Thiago Silva (67′) for Paris
