Sublime! At the end of a match that was worthy of the Champions League, Nice felled Paris in an incredible atmosphere (3-1). Assured of a place in the top three, the Red and Blacks are pursuing their dreams with talent and pride.  

A host of internationals. Stars, even on the bench, which allowed PSG coach Unai Emery to do without former Nice hero Hatem Ben Arfa. The best defence in France, the second-highest scorer in Europe and the so-called best midfielder in the world. Across seas and continents, PSG do not need to introduce themselves when they travel. By the Mediterranean, however, the four-time defending French champions were turned over by the superb Niçois. 

Yet the visitors did not start the game slowly. High up the field, PSG's players put pressure on the locals. Yoan Cardinale saved a shot from Angel Di Maria and Nice captain Paul Baysse cleared the rebound in a hurry. 

Nice supporters in the smouldering and sold-out Allianz may have thought it was going to be a difficult evening. They were not mistaken - except for one thing. In the most beautiful city in the world, on a gentle spring evening, PSG were shaken - which caused them to lose their cool. Nice managed it using the qualities that had brought them to the top three. 

Instead of withstanding pressure, Henrique Dalbert caused all sorts of problems for Serge Aurier at the other end of the pitch. Their duel was fierce - as proven by an 80 metre run from the Nice full-back in the ninth minute that ended with his Ivorian opponent deflecting a shot behind for a corner. 

In midfield Seri and Koziello - a brilliant duo in a well-established 4-2-3-1 formation - held out against the Parisians. In the centre of defence, Baysse and Dante were exemplary throughout 93 minutes. The whole team pushed and held with unity. 

The men from the capital, no doubt surprised, would succumb in the first half. On a brilliant break forward, Ricardo left Maxwell for dead and set up Mario Balotelli on the edge of the box. The Italian international celebrated his return to the starting eleven by opening his left foot and finding the corner to make the home fans go wild (26').

The fever that had deprived Balotelli of a starting place last Sunday now took hold among the supporters. Inspired, the Red and Blacks snapped at their opponents' heels. Carried by the crowd, with the whole of French football watching, they would show every onlooker that their place in the top three was more than deserved.  

In the face of that, PSG created some chances, which proves that a great team never says die. Seri cleared a Cavani header off the line from a corner (16'). Verratti tried his luck but found Baysse's leg in the way. Nothing too nasty - at least in the first half - for a dominant home team. 

A home team which, at the start of the second half, cranked up the electricity by another notch. Younes Belhanda started a glorious move with some great skill in the heart of midfield. After several passes, the ball arrived at Ricardo Pereira's feet. The creator of the first goal, who had a huge match, the Portuguese international cut onto his left foot before curling a brilliant shot into the top corner of Kevin Trapp's goal (48'). A Cardi save from a Marquinhos header added to that goal's importance. 

Sensing that the match - and maybe a little more than that - was slipping through their fingers, PSG began to lose their nerve. Draxler chopped down Belhanda and Cavani shoved... Lucien Favre (59'). Blaise Matuidi rushed to Super Mario, who was toying with Thomas Meunier, in order to push the immense number nine in the back. Thiago Motta and Di Maria would not finish the spectacle due to a headbutt on Baysse and a wild tackle - both of which resulted in late red cards. 

But while the team that reached the last 16 of the Champions League seemed groggy, they got back into the game through a set piece. Thiago Silva rose higher than everyone to catch the ball cleanly, and his header was glanced into the net by Marquinhos (65'). A top-form Cardinale then saved a strong shot from Meunier (70') and kept out a Silva header right after it. 

After being on top to earn their lead, Nice suffered a lot in the final quarter of an hour - mainly through set pieces. PSG got more and more worked up and Nice held on again and again... until the liberation. A great cross from Le Bihan and a header from Donis made it 3-1 - the two substitutes confirming Favre's coaching decisions. 

Di Maria was then sent off without glory. A word that comes back to the locals. They were heroic and magical. With this win, the home team moved to within three points of their opponents and can dream of overtaking them in a fiery end to the season. 

C.D.

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