OGC Nice won 1-0 away to AC Ajaccio on Matchday 7 of Ligue 1 thanks to a spectacular second-half goal from Andy Delort.

The spark came from Andy Delort in the second half. Thanks to a magnificent overhead kick just after the hour mark, the Gym won by the slimmest of margins (0-1) against ACA. With this victory, Nice, who put in a good second half performance with more danger and movement, move up in the standings and are now in 12th place with 8 points.

Just like against Cologne last Thursday (1-1), Lucien Favre played a 4-4-2 formation with Laborde and Delort in attack. Three players returned to the starting line-up: Schmeichel in goal, Bard on the left side of the defence and Pepe on the right side of midfield.

A CAGEY FIRST HALF

From the beginning of the match, Ajaccio put pressure on Nice, as shown by Touzghar's header in the box, which was blocked by Lotomba (1'). It was not until about ten minutes later that Gym gained possession of the ball. The Niçois then created their first dangerous situation. Laborde sent Sofiane Diop through on goal, but the 22-year-old's right-footed shot was blocked by Avinel (12').

The home side were well organised and the Rouge et Noir tried to find solutions. But they lacked the rhythm and technical precision to worry Ajaccio, who were in last place in Ligue 1 but played with confidence. Todibo was almost caught out by the speed of Touzghar but the Gym defender did not panic and was fouled (26'). It was not until the 39th minute of the match that the first shot of the game was on target. Schmeichel had no trouble in catching Bayala's powerful shot (39').

In the final moments of the first half, Nice were playing higher up and the breakthrough almost came from Delort. Laborde played the ball to Diop on the right-hand side of the box, who crossed the ball to Delort who adjusted his body perfectly to hit a right-footed volley that went just inches wide (45+1). Lucien Favre's players returned to the dressing room level.

DELORT'S SPARK

In the second half, the match was more open but the Gym lacked efficiency, as was the case with Delort's powerful shot from the edge of the box (54'). The match livened up on the hour mark. Laborde's through ball was perfectly placed and Pepe shot with his left foot, but Leroy came out to block the Ivorian's shot (60'). A few seconds later, El Idrissy's long-range shot hit the crossbar (61').

The Gym were determined to take all three points and forced Ajaccio into their own half. There was more space, more movement, more accuracy. The Aiglons were heading in the right direction. And the breakthrough came from Delort. From a corner, Andy controlled the ball beautifully with his chest after Thuram's header, then followed up with a magnificent overhead kick that lobbed Leroy. Delort, showing class and respect, did not celebrate his splendid goal against his former club (0-1, 65').

Lucien Favre made his first changes to bring in new blood and maintain the lead. Barkley and Boudaoui came on in place of Delort and Beka Beka. The English international played his first minutes for Nice in the league. And what a start! With his first touch, the former Chelsea player hit the post with his left foot (70'). Barkley was again in the thick of things with a great move before crossing for Laborde who hit one from close range but Leroy stopped it (71'). In the final minutes of the match, the Rouge et Noir held back Ajaccio's onslaught. The Gym even came close to doubling their lead. After a beautiful pass from the omnipresent Barkley, Pepe's attempt found Leroy's right post (87'). The scoreline remained unchanged and Nice secured their second L1 victory of the season.

BELGRADE BEFORE ANGERS

Next Thursday (21:00), the Gym will play away to Partizan Belgrade in the second matchday of the Conference League before hosting Angers at the Allianz Riviera next Sunday in the league (J8, 15:00).