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On Sunday, OGC Nice fell to defeat in Marseille during Week 28 of Ligue 1 (1-0). Solid on the whole, Les Aiglons were unable to recover from the goal scored by Mario Balotelli on the hour mark. 

The features 

Put on some armour and head off to war: this is what the Niçois had to do in order to make the difference against OM. They stuck to the task at hand throughout the encounter, apart from in the 62nd minute, when Mario Balotelli scored the only goal of the evening. A difficult goal to accept, especially after seeing the slight push from Thauvin on Burner, which prevented the full-back from covering in behind Dante.

Beaten during their recent away encounters (Lille, Angers and Amiens), the Red and Blacks knuckled down to close the space. With a deep defensive line, Le Gym spoke in a single voice and made the game a difficult one for the neighbours from Marseille. They held on as a team during a difficult first quarter of an hour, with a foot, leg or body always there to close the door. And when Les Olympiens managed to break through the defensive line, Walter Benitez was perfect, demonstrated by his exceptional fingertip save to deny an impressive curling shot from Thauvin that was destined for the back of the net (32').

Ressured by its own solidity, Le Gym played when it could, looking to the pace and power of Allan Saint-Maximin, who started through the middle. After a ball played in deep, the number 7 got in behind, took a touch out to the right and tried to strike across goal (22’). Mandanda was switched on and stopped the forward’s effort, but the run proved that there was something to play for, as long as they could hold on and keep the hope.

The hour mark made things more complicated. After the goal, defending was no longer enough and Nice didn’t manage to push forward with enough accuracy. Patrick Vieira opted for a more attacking system (see below), but the Niçois, apart from a Cyprien free-kick, didn’t trouble the Provençaux. 

Coach Vieira’s choices

Against Marseille’s flat 4-4-2, Patrick Vieira started with a 5-4-1 to stand up to the wave of Marseille attacks. The coach even added a second layer of protection on the wings, where Atal and Jallet – then Burner, after the premature departure of the experienced full-back as he was forced off through injury - received the support of Tameze and Makengo, starting on the right and left respectively.

In the middle of the park, the duo of Lees-Melou and Walter had to battle and covered a lot of ground. Behind them, the trio of Hérelle, Dante and Sarr remained calm. Finally, Allan Saint-Maximin led the line.

A change after an hour  

After the Marseille goal, Coach Vieira changed system and looked to a 4-3-3. Sarr moved out to the left, Burner to the right and Atal moved forward slightly. Cyprien replaced Walter and occupied the space in front of the defence, while Tameze played through the middle, Saint-Maximin on the left wing and Makengo played at 9 until Sacko’s arrival, when he slipped in behind the forward.

Le Gym’s eleven after the Marseille goal: 
Benitez - Burner, Hérelle, Dante, Sarr - Lees-Melou, Cyprien, Tameze (Sacko 79') - Atal, Makengo, Saint-Maximin.

The goal 

62' Perfectly assisted by Ocampos, Balotelli found a way through the Nice defence, then headed the ball back across goal and into the back of the net. Unstoppable.

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