In search of a result after three draws, OGC Nice hosted Strasbourg to try and secure their first league victory of the season.
In a usual 4-3-3 formation under Francesco Farioli, Nice had to do without Khéphren Thuram, who watched the match from the stands due to a thigh injury. Hicham Boudaoui was therefore in the starting lineup alongside Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Morgan Sanson. Meanwhile, Jérémie Boga made his strong return to the squad.
Coach of the Gym between 2018 and 2020, Patrick Vieira felt quite familiar returning to the Allianz Riviera. Now leading Racing, Vieira is trying to reconnect with Ligue 1 after a challenging stint in England. As for the Aiglons, they started off similarly to last Sunday, controlling possession but maintaining a lackluster pace of play. It wasn’t until a cooling break in the middle of the first half that the match took a different turn. Becoming sharper, Nice disrupted Strasbourg’s 3-4-3 formation and logically capitalized. Following a solo run like only he can deliver, Youcef Atal slipped past a defender, faking a cross to deliver a splendid left-footed shot into Matz Sels’ goal (45th +2)!
OGC Nice doubles the lead
Trailing, Strasbourg had no choice but to open up the game to try to equalize in the second half. Open up the game? That was all the Niçois needed, being very comfortable in counter-attack phases. After missing a one-on-one chance against the Belgian goalkeeper, Terem Moffi didn’t miss again. On a perfectly weighted through ball by Jean-Clair Todibo, the Nigerian international outpaced three defenders before finishing with a left-footed outside shot, without faltering this time (66th).
First goal for the number 9 and the Gym’s first victory, keeping them unbeaten this season: “We played well, we deserve this result. We want to play like this, build from the back. We need time to adjust. It’s good to have chances, it shows we’re doing good things. Maybe next time I’ll score two or three goals.” [T. Moffi / Amazon Prime).
OGC Nice will be playing again next Friday at the Parc des Princes at 8:45 PM, facing a PSG team in full form.
