After a 0–0 draw against FC Metz at the Allianz Riviera, Le Gym finish the season in 16th place in Ligue 1, meaning they must go into the relegation play-off. OGC Nice must now go through a two-legged tie against AS Saint-Étienne to try to keep their place in the top flight. The first leg will take place at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Tuesday 26 May, with the return leg at the Allianz Riviera on Friday 29 May.

MATCH REPORT

For this crucial match against Metz in the relegation battle, Claude Puel made five changes compared to the team that faced AJ Auxerre last weekend. Dante (captain), Abdi, Vanhoutte, Boudache, and Wahi returned to the starting line-up. Diouf, Clauss, Mendy, Oppong, Sanson, and Diop completed the rest of the XI chosen by the Nice coach.

Les Aiglons started the match by controlling possession and trying to push Metz’s well-organised block deeper. Crosses quickly multiplied in the opening minutes, notably from Boudache, but without finding a finishing touch (9’).

However, as the minutes passed, Metz became increasingly dangerous. Abuashvili found himself in a shooting position inside the box but missed the target (10’). Nice responded immediately through Diop, whose curling effort from the edge of the area narrowly missed the goal (12’).

The match then increased in intensity, with Diouf proving decisive. The Nice goalkeeper first saved a shot from Abuashvili, tipping it away for a corner (14’), before producing another stop from Munongo (16’). Metz gradually took control, creating danger and doubt in the Nice half. Sarr missed the target with a volley (23’), while captain Dante made a crucial tackle inside the box to prevent Abuashvili from shooting (25’).

The Rouge et Noir were under pressure but still dangerous. Boudache, very active and incisive, tried his luck but his shot was blocked (25’). After a drop in tempo towards the end of the first half, the hosts created chances again. Vanhoutte missed the target with a right-footed effort (40’), then Diop saw his attempt skim the post (44’). In stoppage time, Sanson and Abdi brought danger without managing to make the difference (45+1’, 45+2’). At half-time, Nice were still 16th in Ligue 1, in a play-off position, while results elsewhere involving Auxerre and Le Havre AC did not help their situation. They would need to raise their level in the second half.

LE GYM TRY, BUT NO BREAKTHROUGH

After the break, Les Aiglons returned with better intentions and quickly looked to pressure the Metz defence. Following a cross from the right, Sanson saw his shot inside the box blocked, before Boudaoui attempted a long-range effort that did not trouble Fischer (47’). Metz continued to pose a threat, however. Touré missed the target inside the box (48’), and Hein forced Diouf into a comfortable save (50’).

Le Gym gradually grew stronger as the minutes passed. Cho rose highest on a cross from Abdi on the left, but his header went over (55’). Two minutes later, Diop was played in by Wahi between the lines and saw his shot deflected for a corner (57’). From a corner taken by Clauss, Dante produced a dangerous header that was deflected just inches away from the Metz goal (58’). More aggressive in duels and more dynamic offensively, Nice raised their level.

Diop then turned inside the box and fired a low shot that was comfortably saved by Fischer (62’). But Metz remained dangerous, forcing another intervention from Diouf (67’). Nice nearly conceded after a defensive scramble, but Dante again intervened to block Abuashvili’s shot inside the box (71’).

Shortly after, Cho, who had come on after the break, came close to opening the scoring. Well found by Sanson, the Nice forward struck first time with the outside of his left foot inside the area, but the ball went just wide of the post (72’). The hosts kept attacking, and Clauss found Abdi with a cross from the right, but the full-back missed his attempt in front of goal (77’).

In the final minutes, Nice threw everything forward. Dante first saw his header from a corner cleared by the Metz defence (86’). Jansson then tried a long-range effort, but Fischer collected it easily (90+3’).

Despite a more convincing second half and several promising chances, Les Aiglons were unable to break down Metz.

OGC Nice will therefore play a relegation play-off to stay in Ligue 1, in a two-legged tie against AS Saint-Étienne.

Before that play-off, they will attempt to win a 4th Coupe de France title against RC Lens at the Stade de France on Friday 22 May.