OGC Nice delivered a top-class performance this Saturday, August 14, at 5 PM on the Pierre Mauroy pitch in Lille. Skillful in front of goal and solid in defense, the Nice team left nothing to the Dogues and won 4-0.
For his return to the North, Christophe Galtier was keen to beat his former team, last year’s French champions. The two teams, which had both drawn in their first matchday (Nice against Reims 0-0 and Lille against Metz 3-3), faced each other today to seize their first victory of the season. And it was the Eagles who captured their first three points, and they did it in style.
Bard, Lemina, Boudaoui, and Dolberg: winning choices
This decisive first victory is also due to Galtier’s choices in structuring his starting eleven. The arrival and return of several essential players made the difference. Malvin Bard’s first start on the left side, despite limited offensive contribution, saw the former Lyon player well-positioned defensively. Boudaoui on the wing was also one of Galtier’s innovations. The Algerian, a trained central midfielder, managed his match very well. He scored the 2-0 goal with a superb strike. Mario Lemina, who has experience with Marseille and Juventus, was also crucial in midfield, starting in Ligue 1 for the first time since 2016. Finally, Dolberg’s return was vital for the Eagles. Coming back from vacation after a good Euro with 3 goals, the Dane showed no lack of rhythm and scored a double in his first match with his new coach.
The match story: A dream scenario for the Gym
If Nice controlled the match from start to finish, it was because right from the kick-off, the Eagles pushed forward immediately. And this drive instantly paid off, with the opening goal in the 1st minute: Gouiri made the difference on his left side, entered the box, shot, but it was stopped by Jardim. Nevertheless, the ball came back to Todibo who took his chance, the Brazilian goalkeeper saved again, but failed to grasp the ball which fell to Dolberg’s feet who scored this time.
After the opening goal, the Eagles continued to build momentum and pressed the Lille team up to their goal area. Under pressure, Celik made a reckless move by back-heeling the ball to his goalkeeper, but it was Gouiri who intercepted it and passed to Boudaoui. Driving forward in the center, at the edge of the box, the 21-year-old Algerian sent a missile into the left corner. 2-0 for the Gym after 5 minutes!
Lille tried to respond on the counter, but Burak Yilmaz’s on-target shot was deflected by Benitez’s feet (38th minute). The Eagles continued playing their game, Attal burst down the right and set up Dolberg who headed towards the goal, hitting the crossbar, with the ball bouncing back to the Dane, who tried his luck again with a half-volley. Benjamin André, in front of him, blocked the shot with his right arm, resulting in a penalty. Gouiri, increasingly proficient in this area, converted by wrong-footing the goalkeeper, making it 3 for Nice just before halftime.
In the second half, the match’s intensity remained the same, with a hungry Nice continuously pressing Lille and surging forward. At the hour mark, a corner for the Eagles saw Dante deflect the ball, and it was Dolberg—whom everyone thought was offside—who scored with a lobbed header, 4-0.
Lille had one decent chance with a shot from Jonathan Bamba on his left, but it was well saved by Benitez.
Thus, it was a resounding victory for OGC Nice this Saturday. Against the French champion on their home turf, the Eagles dominated the match by implementing their game plan and setting up the perfect scenario. Galtier’s philosophy, the eagerness, and the potential of the new signings were evident, and this might well be the Gym’s benchmark match for the season.
