Five days before the clash against OM, scheduled for this Saturday 21 October at 9pm, let's take a look back at Le Gym's five victories against their rivals at the Allianz Riviera.

 THE FIRST

NICE 1-0 MARSEILLE (Matchday 10, 2013/2014 season)

One month after inaugurating their new stadium, Claude Puel's side were determined to win the first ever derby at the Allianz Riviera in front of their fans on Friday 18 October 2013. Because despite having had a great season, finishing in 4th place, Les Aiglons hadn't been able to secure a victory against their neighbours in the previous season. The Red and Blacks did just that in a heated atmosphere with a goal from their Argentine striker, Dario Cvitanich. Found in the box by Mahamane Traoré, the Stade du Ray's idol deceived Steve Mandanda with a body feint before scoring into the empty net (40'), sealing the only goal of the match.

 THE TOUGHEST

NICE 2-1 MARSEILLE (Matchday 22, 2014/2015 season)

Facing an in-form OM under Marcelo Bielsa, Les Aiglons weren't the favorites in the derby on 23 January 2015, despite two consecutive wins over Lorient and Bordeaux. Marseille were second in the league, one point behind Lyon and three points ahead of PSG, all while playing attractive, attacking football that delighted observers. Despite Marseille's dominance, Nice held on and struck in the second half, taking the lead through Romain Genevois (47'), who was quick to poke the ball into the net after a scramble in the box to score his first goal for Nice. However, things got complicated when Kévin Gomis received a red card, leaving his teammates down to 10 men for over half an hour. The Allianz Riviera residents continued to fight valiantly and managed to double their lead in the 73rd minute through Niklas Hult, following a well-executed counter-attack by Eric Bauthéac. Marseille's late goal didn't change the result and Les Aiglons secured their second consecutive victory against OM.

 THE MOST MEMORABLE

NICE 3-2 MARSEILLE (Matchday 4, 2016/2017 season)

There are victories that build team spirit and set the tone for a season. The one achieved in the Mediterranean derby in September 2016 falls into this category. Coming off a turbulent summer marked by the arrivals of Lucien Favre, Dante, and Mario Balotelli, among others, Les Aiglons had ended August with two wins and a draw when OM visited the Allianz Riviera. On that occasion, the two star signings of the transfer window made their debut on the French Riviera and wasted no time in making an impact. Super Mario needed just seven minutes to score his first goal in his new home. Despite an equaliser from Florian Thauvin (14') and a penalty converted by Bafétimbi Gomis (72'), the Nice fans never lost hope and created an immense atmosphere. 

The next 15 minutes have become part of OGC Nice's modern history. Balotelli first beat Yohan Pelé with a well-placed header (78'), before Wylan Cyprien introduced himself to his new fans with his signature move: an incredible shot from 25 metres out that left the goalkeeper with no chance (88'). Les Rouge et Noir won a match that definitively launched a historic season, ending the campaign in 3rd place.

 THE MOST UNEXPECTED

NICE 3-0 MARSEILLE (Matchday 30, 2020/2021 season)

In the midst of a difficult season, languishing in 12th place in Ligue 1, OGC Nice had won only 2 of their last 7 matches when they faced OM in the derby on 20 March 2021. Despite facing an OM freshly taken over by Jorge Sampaoli, Le Gym went into Matchday 30 as underdogs. However, Les Aiglons would surprise their supporters, who were absent from the stadium due to COVID, by overpowering Marseille (3-0).

 

The man of the match? Amine Gouiri, who scored a goal (74'), his twelfth of the season in the top flight, and provided an assist for Khephren Thuram in the first half (34'). Adrian Ursea's playmaker tormented Leonardo Balerdi and Alvaro Gonzalez throughout the encounter. He was also in the group photo for the third goal scored by Alexis Claude-Maurice (90+1'). The left winger ensured the Red and Blacks secured their first win over OM in five years and equalled their largest victory against Les Phocéens in the league, with the previous 3-0 dating back to 1973.

THE BIGGEST

NICE 4-1 MARSEILLE (Quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, 2021/2022 season)

When you look back at the magical nights at the Allianz Riviera, the one on 9 February 2022 stands out. On that winter night, OGC Nice reached the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France for the first time in eleven years and faced their Marseille rivals in a clash between the 2nd and 3rd-placed teams in Ligue 1 at the time.

Christophe Galtier's men, who had just knocked out PSG in the previous round, were caught out early on by an unfortunate Melvin Bard own goal (3'). However, driven by a warrior spirit, Les Aiglons quickly got back into the game thanks to a brilliant display from Amine Gouiri in the Marseille box (10'), followed by a delicately headed goal by Justin Kluivert (29'). The Dutch attacking midfielder sent the Allianz Riviera into a state of euphoria at the start of the second half and Andy Delort completed Nice's incredible performance. Deadly in attack, quick in transition, and solid at the back, Le Gym secured a place in the semi-finals of the oldest French competition with the club's widest win over OM in the 21st century.

 

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Hugo Rondet