OGC Nice have brought a point back from their derby clash with OM at the Orange Vélodrome in Matchday 29 of L1 (2-2).

OGC Nice earned a point against OM in the Mediterranean derby at the Orange Vélodrome in the final game of Matchday 29 of Ligue 1 (2-2). Disciplined and dangerous in the first half, Le Gym opened the scoring through Moffi (0-1, 14') but were pegged back by OM on the half-hour mark when Clauss struck (1-1, 31'). With an extra man for the entire second half after Moumbagna was sent off just before the break, Les Aiglons conceded a goal from Aubameyang's penalty (2-1, 56') but equalised through Melvin Bard (2-2, 72'). The draw sees the Gym stay fifth in L1 standings with 48 points, four points off 4th place.

Nice coach Francesco Farioli made just one change to the starting XI that had defeated Lorient. The change coming on the right side of defence, where Antoine Mendy replaced the injured Jordan Lotomba (knee). Bułka, Todibo, Dante, Bard, Sanson, Rosario, Thuram, Cho, Moffi and Boga made up the rest of the Nice team, in a 4-3-3 formation.

MOFFI DRAWS FIRST BLOOD

Right from the start, Nice showed their attacking intent and imposed a high pressure game that made life difficult for the Marseille backline, perfectly illustrated by Sanson, who robbed the ball away from Kondogbia on the edge of the area, but Pau Lopez made the save in extremis (5'). The home side responded with a shot from Veretout that flew over Marcin Bułka's goal. But it was Les Aiglons who drew first blood. After good work with his back to goal in midfield, Cho released Boga, who had started the move and was completely unmarked. Racing towards goal, the left-winger beat Pau Lopez on the edge of the area and Moffi ran onto the ball and slotted home with his right foot (0-1, 14').

Alert to openings in the OM defence and solid and disciplined at the back, Le Gym produced a fine performance in the first half-hour and were not really threatened by the Phocéens since opening the scoring. And the visitors even came close to doubling their lead through a fine team move. Sanson played Mendy in on the right and the 19-year-old crossed for Moffi, who struck the ball wide from close range (23').

LE GYM PEGGED BACK BY OM

But the home side fought back and were soon level. From just outside the area, Jonathan Clauss controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner past Marcin Bułka (1-1, 31'). But Le Gym didn’t panic and finished the first half well, looking to regain the lead. Sanson's long-range effort was saved by Lopez (41'). Boga again crossed for Sanson to volley home, but Lopez got down to save (45'). Just before the end of the first half, referee Jérémie Pignard gave Moumbagna a second yellow for a foul on Mendy. The two sides headed to the break all square at 1-1, but Le Gym were to play with a numerical superiority in the second half.

BARD ANSWERS AUBAMEYANG

With 11 men against 10 after the break, Les Aiglons went on the offensive, getting the ball wide and delivering crosses into the box. Jeremie Boga saw his goal disallowed by the referee for offside (49'). However, the match was to be turned on its head a few moments later when Monsieur Pignard awarded OM a harsh penalty for Cho's lunge on Balerdi in the area after a Marseille corner. Aubameyang converted from the spot to give OM the lead (55', 2-1).

Francesco Farioli then made a number of changes. Boudaoui, Laborde and Guessand came on for Mendy, Sanson and Moffi. Rosario slipped into central defence and Todibo moved to right-back for the first time this season. Down a man, Marseille opted for more defensive set up with Harit coming off and Gueye coming on. In the end, salvation came from Melvin Bard. The left-back intercepted the ball outside the area after a Marseille clearance and unleashed a clinical shot that arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner of the net (2-2, 72'). After the equaliser, Le Gym were right on top, pressing the Phocéens back into their defensive tranches as they looked to complete the turnaround. Laborde headed over from a corner (80').

But Marseille also had chances in a dramatic finale. Bułka was forced into a fine save from Ndiaye (81'). Les Aiglons pressed forward, but Boga was denied time and again by the Marseille defence and shots from Claude Maurice, who came on for Cho, flew over (86', 90'). Les Rouge et Noir survived a final scare when Aubameyang's shot hit the crossbar (90+4). There was no further scoring.

FOCUS ON STRASBOURG

Francesco Farioli and his charges now head to Strasbourg this Sunday 28 April in Matchday 31 of Ligue 1, kick-off at 15:00 CET.