Les Aiglons gave it everything in a courageous display, but left empty handed on the wrong end of a 2-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, despite Mohamed-Ali Cho goal. OGC Nice has qualified for next season’s UEFA Europa League.

OGC Nice fought valiantly, but were beaten 2-1 by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in a rescheduled Ligue 1 Matchday 32 clash. Les Aiglons did everything they could in the electric atmosphere of Allianz Riviera, but Francesco Farioli's men lacked the necessary cutting edge to topple the newly crowned French champions. In a match that could have set up a clash for the final Champions League qualification spot away to Lille on Sunday, Les Rouge et Noir were pushed on for the full 90 minutes by their fans, who were incredible, right from the pre-match until the end, including a sublime tifo.

With only one change to their starting XI, as Antoine Mendy was replaced by Jordan Lotomba, Nice started strongly, illustrated by Khephren Thuram's big early chance. The midfielder won the ball off Warren Zaïre-Emery and raced into the penalty box before curling a shot past Arnau Tenas's left-hand post (5'). Pressure, intensity, spirit... Dante and his teammates did their best to translate their flying start onto the score board. But they were thwarted by the ruthless efficiency of the Parisians. Following a sequence of short passes from the feet of Marcin Bułka, Lotomba was dispossessed by Bradely Barcola. After linking up with Fabian Ruiz, the young winger made no mistake in beating Nice’s Polish ‘keeper to punish Le Gym (0-1, 18’). This was followed by a second blow moments later, when Barcola again burst through on the left. The French U-21 international’s cross was perfectly met by Yoram Zague at the far post to double the lead (0-2, 23’).

CHO LED THE FIGHTBACK

Already certain of a top-five finish and galvanised by the desire to finish even higher with two games to go, Les Aiglons refused to give up. Buoyed by their tremendous pressing, they rekindled their ambitions thanks to Mohamed-Ali Cho shortly after the half-hour. High up the pitch, Dante won the ball on the edge of the area, and released Jeremie Boga to cross. Cho, Le Gym's winter signing, made no mistake with a left-foot finish to reduce the deficit and score his first goal at the Allianz Riviera (1-2, 32’).

The home side were in the ascendancy and had several chances to equalise at the end of the first half, starting with Boga. A real particle accelerator, the African champion was exchanged passes with Morgan Sanson and then Terem Moffi before running at Tenas, who was alert to the danger (36'). It was Sanson who was next to go close, firing over after Lotomba had won possession well inside the Parisian final third (45').

LE GYM NOT REWARDED

The second half saw Luis Enrique's men control the game more, passing the ball around their own half without exposing themselves to counterattacks. But this did not prevent Le Gym from continuing to press forward when the occasion presented itself, with Pablo Rosario working hard in midfield. Boga, for his part, was the main threat in Nice's attack, constantly trying to break through and accelerate the play, as he did when he failed to hit the target inside the box (60'). Gaëtan Laborde also came on as a substitute, causing Tenas problems in his 6-yard box, before Boudaoui collected and set him up, but the number 24's shot was saved by the Paris goalkeeper (72’).

But his efforts, like those of his teammates, were not rewarded, and things got even worse when Melvin Bard was shown a red card after clipping Barcola as he raced off on the counterattack (75’). Down a man, Les Aiglons continued to attack, with Hicham Boudaoui’s header (84’) and Evann Guessand’s half-volley (86’). But to no avail.

As a result of this defeat, Le Gym can no longer aspire to a top four finish, and have officially qualified for the UEFA Europa League in 2024/25. But the season is not over. J-C Todibo and Co. travel to Stade Pierre-Mauroy to take on LOSC this Sunday (21:00 CET) with the aim of ending their fine campaign on a high note.

Hugo Rondet