After going ahead in the second minute thanks to Joe Bryan, OGC Nice were held to a 1-1 draw at Partizan Belgrade in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening. The Aiglons had chances against a quality opponent, and hit the woodwork through Diop.  They will travel to FC Slovacko on 6 October for their third match in group D.

For its first trip in group D of the Europa Conference League, OGC Nice had a tough task. In Belgrade, at Partizan's ground, the Gym got a taste of Serbia. They came away with a 1-1 draw. With a 4-4-2 formation led by a Pepe-Laborde attack, and with Atal and Lemina back in the starting line-up, Lucien Favre's team were in for a difficult game, in an intense atmosphere despite the fact that the Stadion Partizana was not completely full. Joe Bryan, playing at left-back, was on hand to put a dampener on this atmosphere after less than 90 seconds. In the box, the Englishman perfectly followed up after Nicolas Pepe's initial effort. His right-footed drive gave Alexandar Popovic no chance (0-1, 2').

DANTE AND LABORDE CLOSE TO MAKING IT 2-0

The start was perfect. However, the opening goal invigorated the opponent even more. Buoyed by the in-form Fousseni Diabaté on the right, Partizan Belgrade pushed forward. But for more than 40 minutes, neither Ricardo Gomes, the striker with 14 goals so far this season, nor his team-mates managed to break down the defence led by Todibo and Dante. The Brazilian international had one of the other two chances in the first half for Nice. His header was saved by Popovic (28').

The Gym kept pushing, aware that there were chances in this game. The other opportunity for OGC Nice in the first half came from Gaëtan Laborde. It was the fourth consecutive game in which the striker was starting and his movement was creating opportunities for the visitors. Face to face with the Partizan Belgrade goalkeeper, his shot was pushed away after being found in behind (24'). The Serbians looked for solutions to get through the Nice backline, and had a double opportunity cleared by Atal with his stomach (43') then Schmeichel on the ground (45+2'). The Gym headed into the break with the lead.

THE GYM ON TWO POINTS

At ease in the game, the Aiglons attacked the second half with the intention of coming out of it with a victory. Stunned but not knocked out, Partizan bounced straight back. After some action on the left, Diabaté was found in the right-hand side of the Gym area. His left-footed shot flew into the top corner to wake up the Stadion Partizana (60').

There were thirty minutes left to make a difference for both sides. Sofiane Diop, who had just come on, had his first chance, but his lobbed header hit the post (65'). At the other end, Ricardo Gomes hit the crossbar five minutes later after another Diabaté effort (70'). The match, in the end, was not decided by either side. The Gym left Serbia with the satisfaction of having shown some of their qualities, and the frustration of not having been able to turn them into a win.

After two games, OGC Nice have two points, like their opponents. The next match is on 6 October at FC Slovacko in the Czech Republic, who were beaten 4-2 in Cologne on Thursday evening. Before that, Lucien Favre's men will host Angers on Sunday for the eighth matchday of Ligue 1.