Ligue 1 returned this weekend after a well-earned summer break. The new season began with Nice drawing 0-0 against Lorient. Both teams put on a competitive display but were unable to find a breakthrough.

Both sides initially needed to find their range. Mamadou Koné failed to connect with Le Bris’s cross (8’), while Zoumana Diallo’s delivery found no Nice player on the penalty spot (12’). It was a sign of things to come before the game truly opened up. Les Aiglons were the first to create a real scare for supporters forced to follow the match from their TV screens. Junior Mandza’s cross caused problems for the Lorient defender, who failed to clear the ball. Sofiane Diop, lurking nearby, tried his luck but could not beat Mvogo (15’). During a spell of pressure, Nice continued to push, and Jonathan Clauss saw his half-volley blocked by the Lorient defence (16’).

The visitors responded quickly. Following an error by Djibril Coulibaly, Jean-Victor Makengo collected the ball 20 metres from goal and unleashed a powerful shot that went wide (20’). Looking to build from the back, Nice put themselves in danger again. Gabin Bernardeau intercepted a pass from Yehvann Diouf. The young midfielder found himself one-on-one with the Nice goalkeeper, who came out on top in the duel (23’). After weathering the storm, Le Gym created another opportunity shortly after the half-hour mark. Gauthier Hein found Jonathan Clauss on the edge of the box, and Clauss delivered a perfect cross for Antoine Mendy. The Niçois defender won his duel but saw his header narrowly miss the target (32’). Nice thought they had taken the lead just before half-time, but the goal scorer, Everton, had committed a foul on his defender and the goal was correctly ruled out (44’).

N’GOUMOU MAKES HIS FIRST APPEARANCE FOR NICE

After the break, Les Aiglons dominated possession. However, their territorial dominance produced little, as Olivier Pantaloni’s side struggled to get close to the Lorient goal. Le Gym were even given a scare around the hour mark when Lorient created a double chance. Melvin Bard, followed by Yehvann Diouf, had to remain fully alert to clear the danger away (61’). Le Gym continued to control possession and created one final opportunity late in the match. Nathan N’Goumou made his first appearance in the red-and-black shirt (81’) before coming close to opening the scoring. Played into the box by Cho, the new Nice signing produced a fine piece of skill before shooting. The ball was deflected at the last moment by the defender’s foot and went just wide of Yvon Mvogo’s goal.

Despite one final chance for Aiyegun Tosin in stoppage time, OGC Nice and FC Lorient had to settle for a draw, in what was a fair result given the overall flow of the match.