OGC Nice secured a 2-0 victory against Strasbourg at the Allianz Riviera on Matchday 4 of Ligue 1, claiming their first league win of the season. Youcef Atal and Terem Moffi were the scorers.

With smart football, domination, movement, chances, and even hitting the post twice, Nice combined all the ingredients needed to earn their first Ligue 1 victory of the 2023-2024 season against Strasbourg at the Allianz Riviera (1-0). Youcef Atal produced a masterpiece in stoppage time of the first half (45+2), rewarding OGC Nice's impressive first-half performance. In the second half, Terem Moffi beat Sels with an effort from the outside of his left foot (2-0, 75'). Thanks to this convincing victory, Francesco Farioli's team climb to 7th place in Ligue 1, with 6 points. A more accurate reflection of their start to the season.

At kick-off, there was only one change compared to the team that faced Lyon last Sunday (0-0): Hicham Boudaoui replaced Khephren Thuram (who suffered a thigh injury during the week and was absent from the squad). Bułka, Atal, Todibo, Dante (captain), Bard, Boudaoui, Ndayishimiye, Sanson, Laborde, Moffi, and Diop formed Nice's lineup in a 4-3-3 formation.

After a quiet opening spell, where Le Gym controlled the ball without breaking through Strasbourg's defence, Les Rouge et Noir gradually increased the pressure and created danger in the opposing half as the game progressed. The first exciting moment at the Allianz Riviera came from Terem Moffi. Dante found him on the left side of the box, and the Super Eagle pulled off a magnificent nutmeg before shooting with his left foot, but Sels pushed the ball away for a corner (12').

Building on their momentum, Nice continued to create opportunities. Boudaoui connected with a good corner from Sanson but missed the target with his head (25'), Laborde's close-range shot was blocked by Sels, and Sanson's shot hit the post moments later (34'). Laborde took advantage of a poor clearance by Sylla to attempt a left-footed shot from inside the box, but Sels once again looked unbeatable (36'). That was until Youcef Atal's masterpiece...

ATAL'S MASTERPIECE

In stoppage time of the first half, after a beautiful cross from Dante, Atal controlled the ball on the right side, feinted past a defender, then broke into the box before unleashing a curled left-footed shot that found the back of the net, giving Le Gym a one-goal lead heading into halftime.

A deserved lead after a dominant first-half performance form Les Azuréens, who were rarely threatened, except for a free-kick from Guilbert that went well over the bar (6'), a dangerous cross from Delaine on the left that Bułka stopped at the second time of asking, and an off-target shot from Guilbert after Atal's opening goal (45+4').

In the second half, Farioli's men returned to the field with the same attacking intentions, playing high to try to double their lead. Sanson had a shot blocked just outside the box (59'), and Moffi, brilliantly set up by the number 11, hit the post with a left-footed strike after the hour mark (67').

MOFFI DOUBLES THE LEAD

It was actually the Nigerian striker, who would double the lead shortly after the substitutions of Boga and Lotomba, replacing Diop and Atal, both of whom left to a standing ovation from the Allianz Riviera crowd. Moffi received a well-timed through ball from Todibo in behind the defence, controlled it, and then shot with the outside of his left foot from inside the box to beat Sels (2-0, 75').

Shortly after that, Romain Perraud marked his return home, replacing Melvin Bard. Moffi, initially in an offside position, had the chance to make it 3-0 but was denied by Sels (86'). To inject fresh legs, the Nice coach made his final changes. Boudaoui and Laborde made way for Rosario and Guessand. In added time of the second half, Jérémie Boga's attempt was deflected away for a corner by the RCSA goalkeeper (90+4').

Le Gym will travel to Paris after the international break for the resumption of Ligue 1 (Friday 15 September at 9pm).