OGC Nice were beaten 3–0 by Paris FC on Sunday at the Stade Jean-Bouin.

A week after their opening draw against Lorient (Matchday 1, 0–0), Olivier Pantaloni’s side were defeated in Paris. Despite showing good intentions and a degree of control during the first half, Les Aiglons lacked the cutting edge needed to unsettle a well-organised PFC side that was very dangerous on the counter-attack. Despite the additions of Axel Witsel and Nathan Ngoumou to the starting XI, making their first appearances for Le Gym since joining the club, as well as the return of Mohamed Abdelmonem, who was making his first start in a year and four months, the Red and Blacks were not adventurous enough in the opposition half.

The first shot on target of the match came from Nice: Sofiane Diop from the edge of the box (12’), but the visitors’ bright start went unrewarded. Moments later, Ilan Kebbal was played through on the left and won a penalty following a collision with Youssouf Ndayishimiye. Calm from the penalty spot, Lassine Sinayoko gave Yehvann Diouf no chance (1–0, 21’). Struggling to find space against Paris FC’s solid defensive block, Gauthier Hein and his teammates enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to create shooting opportunities, apart from Ngoumou’s off-target effort following good work by Diop (35’) and a cross-shot from Jonathan Clauss (45’).

WAHI CAME ON

Despite Mohamed Abdelmonem dominating his duel with Moses Simon and 17-year-old Junior Mandza remaining as composed as ever, Paris FC managed to double their lead just after half-time through Samir Chergui. Following a strong, high recovery of the ball from Melvin Bard, the defender continued his run, combined with Kebbal and then calmly beat Diouf (2–0, 51’).

Keen to get back into the game, Les Aiglons did not give up and created a few chances, including a powerful Clauss shot that was turned away by Kevin Trapp (68’) after being set up by Elye Wahi, who had come on at the hour mark, and a long-range effort from Djibril Coulibaly, which met the same fate (69’).

Taking risks in an attempt to get back into the match, Pantaloni’s team left themselves exposed and were eventually punished right at the end. Taking advantage of a misunderstanding in the Nice defence, Vincent Marchetti put an end to any remaining suspense on the brink of stoppage time (3–0, 89’).

Provisionally 17th with one point, Le Gym will now face Le Mans on Saturday, 5 September, as they mark their return to the Allianz Riviera in front of a crowd (8:45pm).

Hugo Rondet