Ligue 1 McDonald's Matchday 30

0 : 2

Messi (26')

Ramos (76')

Match report

The Gym deserves better against PSG (0-2)

In a match where they tried everything, OGC Nice lost to PSG on Matchday 30 of L1 (0-2).

There are no encouraging defeats, but there are ways to lose. This Saturday, in a sold-out Allianz Riviera, the Gym lost "without going back on itself", to quote coach Digard. Without going back on themselves and constantly attacking, from start to finish. The only things missing from our Aiglons against the Parisian leaders were efficiency and success. In the end, they had nothing to be ashamed of and the Allianz gave them a standing ovation as they left the pitch. This is backed up by a stat from Opta: "Paris conceded 21 shots against Nice, their second-highest total in a Ligue 1 match in the last five seasons, behind the 24 they conceded against Reims on 8 October 2022 (0-0)."

Of those 21 shots, seven were saved by a brilliant Donnarumma. Two hit the woodwork. The first came at the start of the second half, when Dante, in true Pancho Abardonado fashion, took the ball on the half-volley at the far post after a corner was cleared. The ball hit the bar, then the post, and ended up behind the goal line but did not cross it completely, which was confirmed by Goal-line technology. The other bar was hit by Danilo, who deflected Bouanani's ball towards his goal in the closing stages of the game. When it's not going your way…

Tactically, the Gym started in a 3-4-3 formation, with Ndayishimiye on the right, Boudaoui as the holder, and Thuram in a left-sided attacking midfield role. After Messi opened the scoring (26'), Didier Digard moved the strong Youssouf into the middle. The system evolved into a 4-3-3 and allowed the Aiglons to be attacking and dangerous. Very quickly, this tactical shift and brave intentions started creating chances: Pepe was stopped by Donnarumma after an extraordinary ball from Thuram at the far post (43'), and Moffi's header was also saved by the Italian (45').

Paris also had opportunities, especially in the first half. They hit the post through Danilo (22'). But PSG had one thing going for them on Saturday: they were able to turn their best moments into goals. Ramos doubled their lead in the 76th minute, against the run of play, and it was game over. 

The introductions of Brahimi, Rosario (on the right of the defence), Laborde, Barkley and Bouanani did not slow down the Red and Blacks' momentum, in fact quite the opposite. But Nice could not get on the scoresheet.

It is now time to look ahead to the first leg of the Conference League quarter-final at Basel on Thursday (9pm).


Gallery

The best of Nice - PSG in pictures
16/9

Ligue 1

The best of Nice - PSG in pictures

Video highlights

Highlights : Nice 0-2 Paris
1/10

OGC Nice TV

Highlights : Nice 0-2 Paris

Match sheet

Ligue 1 McDonald's • Matchday 30
April 8 2023 21:00

In Nice

Allianz Riviera
Attendance: 34456

Allianz Riviera - Nice
  • Schmeichel
  • Todibo
  • Dante
  • Mendy
    Remplacement
  • Ndayishimiye
  • Bard
    Remplacement
  • Boudaoui
    Remplacement
  • Ramsey
    Remplacement
  • Pépé
  • Thuram
    Carton jaune
  • Moffi
    Remplacement
  • Donnarumma
  • Ramos
    But
  • Danilo Pereira
  • Marquinhos
  • Hakimi
  • Soler
    Remplacement
  • Vitinha
  • Nuno Mendes
    Remplacement
  • Renato Sanches
    Remplacement
  • Messi
    But
  • Mbappé

Coach
Didier Digard

Substitutions

  • 68'

    Brahimi

    Bard

  • 68'

    Rosario

    Mendy

  • 74'

    Laborde

    Boudaoui

  • 83'

    Bouanani

    Moffi

  • 83'

    Barkley

    Ramsey

Unused Substitutes

Bułka Amraoui Beka Beka Belahyane

Coach
Christophe Galtier

Substitutions

  • 10'

    Ruiz

    Sanches

  • 77'

    Bitshiabu

    Mendes

  • 89'

    Zaïre-Emery

    Soler

Unused Substitutes

Ekitike Gharbi Housni Letellier Rico

Referee

Jérémie
Pignard

Jérémie Pignard

Bookings

Yellow cards

Red cards

Bookings

Yellow cards

Red cards

Logo OGC Nice

Stats

Logo Paris Saint Germain

Ball Control

46%
55%

Shots

21
13

Shots on target

7
4

Completed passes

514
647

Offsides

1
3

Fouls committed

8
2

Yellow cards

1
0

Red cards

0
0