On Sunday evening, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Nice faced off in a tightly contested match that ended in a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Riviera, marking the conclusion of the seventh round of Ligue 1. This stalemate does little to benefit either side as they strive to improve their standings in the league.
PSG entered the match seeking to reclaim their position at the top of the league table after being dethroned by Monaco. Following a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League just days earlier, the Parisian club was under pressure to deliver a strong performance. Meanwhile, Nice found themselves in a precarious situation, sitting in 11th place and reeling from a heavy 4-1 loss to Lazio in the Europa League earlier in the week.
Manager Luis Enrique continued to employ his favored 4-3-3 formation for PSG. Gianluigi Donnarumma took his place between the posts, flanked by Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes on the defensive wings, while Marquinhos partnered with Willian Pacho in central defense. The midfield trio consisted of Joao Neves, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Fabian, providing a blend of youth and experience. Up front, Randal Kolo Muani operated as the central striker, supported by wingers Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola.
For Nice, coach Franck Haise opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation. The defense was solid as usual, while Tanguy Ndombélé returned to the starting lineup alongside Hicham Boudaoui in midfield. Up front, Mohamed-Ali Cho made his comeback, teaming up with Evann Guessand and Jérémie Boga.
The match began with Nice creating early chances. In the 4th minute, Guessand received the ball inside the PSG penalty area, drifting to the right before delivering a cross. However, Donnarumma misjudged the ball’s trajectory, and fortunately for PSG, no Nice players were present at the far post to capitalize. Just a minute later, Guess and found himself in a good position once again, holding off Pacho’s challenge and delivering a dangerous ball, but Cho narrowly missed connecting with it.
Nice continued to threaten, and in the 13th minute, a well-placed cross from Clauss found Cho, who leaped to head the ball. Donnarumma made a stunning reflex save, keeping the score level. Despite Nice’s dominance in the opening half, it was Ali Abdi who eventually broke the deadlock. In the 39th minute, he seized upon a loose ball, firing a left-footed shot that found the back of the net after deflecting off Nuno Mendes. This marked Abdi’s first goal of the season in Ligue 1, sending the home crowd into jubilation.
Despite controlling possession, PSG struggled to create meaningful chances. Their best opportunity came in the 37th minute when Nuno Mendes attempted a volley that was expertly saved by Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. The half concluded with Hakimi and Marquinhos receiving yellow cards for their vocal protests against the referee’s decisions, highlighting the mounting frustration within the PSG camp. This was particularly concerning for PSG, as they had now trailed in their last three away matches—a grim statistic that represented their worst run since early 2022.
As the second half commenced, PSG sought to regroup and find an equalizer. The visitors came out with renewed energy, pushing forward in search of goals. Luis Enrique’s tactical adjustments began to bear fruit, as PSG increased their attacking intensity and frequency of chances.
The breakthrough for PSG arrived in the 61st minute when a cross from the left found Kolo Muani, who made no mistake with a deft finish. His equalizer ignited the Parisian side and shifted the momentum of the match in their favor. This goal breathed life into the PSG attack, which had looked somewhat lifeless in the first half.
The final stages of the match were marked by end-to-end action, with both teams creating opportunities but failing to convert them. Nice looked to regain their advantage, but PSG’s defense, led by a resolute Donnarumma, held firm. The match concluded with both teams sharing the points, a result that left fans and players alike reflecting on what might have been.
In the aftermath of this encounter, PSG remained in the chase for the top of the table but would need to address their inconsistency if they wished to reclaim their position as Ligue 1 leaders. With only one win in their last five matches, questions surrounding their tactics and mental resilience lingered. Nice, on the other hand, would take some solace from their performance, particularly in the first half, as they looked to build on this draw in the coming fixtures.
In the broader context of the league, this draw illustrated the growing competitiveness of Ligue 1, with teams like Nice proving they can challenge the established powers. As both clubs prepare for their upcoming fixtures, they will look to convert their performances into results that will bolster their standings in the league.
PSG’s next test will be critical, as they aim to regain momentum and confidence ahead of future challenges. The players and coaching staff will undoubtedly analyze this match closely, seeking to find solutions that can turn their fortunes around as the season progresses.
