Despite a rock-solid defence and an excellent performance from Yéhvann Diouf, OGC Nice lost 1-0 to PSG in the dying seconds at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 11 of Ligue 1.

How frustrating... Nice held their own against PSG and looked set to secure a draw until the very end. Well organised and very solid in defence, Nice could even have won the game with a counter-attack led by Mendy (89'), but eventually conceded in the last second with a header from Ramos (1-0, 90+4), ending Les Aiglons' run of three consecutive wins.

A VERY SOLID NICE BLOCK

For the trip to face the league leaders, Franck Haise continued his rotation policy during this busy period, making five changes to his starting eleven with Abdi, Boudaoui, Louchet, Jansson and Sanson all starting. Diouf, Mendy, Oppong, Bah, Bard (captain) and Gouveia completed the rest of the Nice team.

PSG imposed their rhythm from the outset, with Nice suffering under the Parisian pressure. The Niçois remained solid and compact, limiting space and allowing few real chances for the Parisians, as they did against Lille last Wednesday. Diouf made several decisive saves, notably denying Barcola (14', 39'), catching a header from Zabarnyi from a free kick (29') and saving a shot from Hakimi (38').

Despite the dominance of the Champions League winners, Nice were not really troubled, thanks to a well-organised defence built around a back four, reinforced by the work of the wing-backs/wingers and the three midfielders. Nice actually had the best chance of the first half after half an hour of play. From a perfectly taken corner by Tom Louchet, Juma Bah, at the far post, struck the ball with his right foot, but Kvicha Kvaratskhelia cleared off the line before Lucas Chevalier finally gathered the ball after a scramble that almost ended up going the Aiglons' way (32'). At half-time, Le Gym were holding PSG to a 0-0 draw.

LE GYM RESIST…

PSG started the second half with the same intensity, but Diouf could not be beaten. The number 80 turned away a shot from Mayulu (47'), caught a dangerous cross from Kvaratskhelia (53') and pushed away a powerful attempt from Zaïre-Emery (57'). The Nice goalkeeper also saved a long-range shot from Vitinha that was heading for the top corner (68').

Le Gym's defence stayed strong and, as in the first half, Nice gave Paris very little space (62'). Sofiane Diop's introduction after the break gave the team a bit more attacking impetus. The number 10 allowed Les Aiglons to look more dangerous and the team enjoyed a few counter-attacks...

…BUT CONCEDE AT THE DEATH

In the last quarter of an hour, PSG stepped up their attacks but Nice held firm, as demonstrated by Mendy's decisive clearance from a cross from the left (76'). Diouf was heroic once again, stopping Ramos' header in the box and then seeing the same player's shot fly past his left post shortly afterwards (80').

Le Gym could even have won it. In the 89th minute, all Rouge et Noir fans must have believed it! On a counter-attack, Mendy raced towards goal alone after a magnificent run and shot inside the box, but Chevalier caught the ball. In added time, Diouf made another magnificent save from Ramos' header (90+4'), but from the resulting corner, flicked on by Kvaratskhelia at the near post, Ramos headed the ball into the net. PSG opened the scoring in the last second, despite a very creditable performance from Le Gym.

FOCUS ON FREIBURG

After two away games in Istanbul and Vigo, Les Aiglons will return to the Allianz Riviera next Thursday to face Freiburg in their fourth Europa League match. Kick-off is at 6:45pm.