OGC Nice beat Olympique de Marseille 3–0 in a well-executed pre-season friendly on Saturday at the Robert Louis-Dreyfus Training Centre, producing an encouraging performance and showing excellent team spirit.

A week after their 4–0 victory over Nîmes, Olivier Pantaloni’s side won their second pre-season fixture, this time against stronger opposition in Olympique de Marseille. Played behind closed doors at Marseille’s training ground, the match took place in torrential rain, making conditions difficult for both teams. Despite the challenging weather, Nice delivered a solid all-round display, impressing both in possession and through their determination and work rate.

Once again lining up in a 3-4-3 formation, Nice came under pressure at times and owed much to goalkeeper Teddy Boulhendi, who produced two excellent saves (12’, 16’). Although they did not dominate possession, they remained dangerous on the counter-attack and through quick transitions.

The combination between Jonathan Clauss and Isak Jansson almost created an opening-minute goal for Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga. The young defender did not have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, however. After Junior Mandza won the ball impressively in central defence, Nice broke forward at speed through Sofiane Diop. The Morocco international played Mantsounga through, and the youngster calmly finished with the inside of his foot to make it 1–0 in the 20th minute.

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At the height of their dominance, Nice looked composed and comfortable building play from the back, with Diop frequently dropping into midfield to dictate the tempo. The No. 10 was also highly effective when pressing, forcing Marseille into an error high up the pitch before driving forward and finishing neatly from close range to double the lead just before half-time (41’).

As the match wore on, Nice fielded an increasingly youthful side and faced a more difficult second half against a Marseille team pressing much higher. Nevertheless, the visitors maintained the positive attitude praised by their coach after the match.

They survived several scares, with the crossbar denying Marseille in the 52nd minute before young goalkeeper Martin Ponsot, introduced shortly after the hour mark, made two decisive saves to keep out Igor Paixão and Faris Moumbagna (67’, 71’).

Following wholesale changes during the final half-hour, Nice’s second line-up remained clinical. Eighteen-year-old Aboulaye Camara scored the third goal after Victor Orakpo brilliantly held the ball up with his back to goal. Mohamed-Ali Cho then burst past his defender and squared for the young midfielder to finish easily at the far post, making it 3–0.

Marseille created the final chances of the match, but Nice held firm to record their second consecutive clean sheet of the summer. While pre-season results are of limited statistical significance, another shutout provides valuable confidence. After a disciplined and convincing performance, Les Aiglons now turn their attention to their third pre-season fixture against Juventus on Friday 31 July (6pm).

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Hugo Rondet