OGC Nice won 8-0 against AS Saint-Etienne on Friday in the opening game of Ligue 1 Matchday 5, after a spectacular display of attacking football to celebrate the club's 120th birthday.

It was a birthday to remember! Eager to celebrate Le Gym's 120th anniversary in style, Franck Haise's players treated the 30,024 spectators in the stands at the Allianz Riviera to a dream Friday evening, which ended with an incredible 8-0 victory over Saint-Etienne, equalling the club's biggest ever league win. Sixty-seven years after their victory over Sedan by the same score line in September 1957, the Rouge et Noir turned this gala evening into a historic night.

The Aiglons came out with a vengeance after their cruel defeat in Marseille last week, and got right down to business. Boosted by Moïse Bombito's return from suspension and Youssoufa Moukoko's first start in his new colours, they showed no mercy to a Saint-Etienne side that had just beaten Lille on the previous matchday.

A FLYING START

It was from the right flank that Le Gym's first attacks began to cause damage, as in the case of the first goal, scored through an own goal by Dylan Batubinsika, who was put under pressure by Moukoko, following a fine combination between Mohamed-Ali Cho and Jonathan Clauss (4', 1-0). It was the same story three minutes later, with Evann Guessand's cross causing trouble. The ball rebounded to the feet of Tanguy Ndombele, who coolly slotted the ball past Gautier Larsonneur for his first goal as an Aiglon (7', 2-0).

The French international dazzled the Allianz Riviera with his class and technical ability, and could have provided Cho with an assist moments later (20'). Despite not taking the chance, Cho sure made up for it not long after. Set up on the right by Clauss, the man from Stains cut inside before curling a powerful shot into the corner (24', 3-0).

MOUKOKO INTRODUCES HIMSELF

His two attacking partners were equally motivated to get in on the act as well. First, Moukoko was on hand to head in a ball pushed away by Larsonneur following an attempt by Guessand (26', 4-0). Then the Côte d'Ivoire international had his own individual moment, beating Abdelhamid down the left flank to finish past the goalkeeper (37', 5-0).

Not satisfied, Moukoko rounded off his introduction to the Nice fans with a brace, well positioned in the box to convert Guessand's good work into a goal (39', 6-0).

Already enjoying a historic evening, with no team having scored six goals in the first half of a Ligue 1 match in the 21st century, Le Gym did not stop there. After an exceptionally effective first half (9 shots, 7 on target, 6 goals), the Rouge et Noir continued to attack, but were less successful, as in the case of Clauss's attempt, which was too powerful (56'), or Cho's shot, which was off target (74').

A GOALSCORING RETURN FOR DIOP, A FIRST FOR ROSARIO

Les Aiglons found the net again thanks to Sofiane Diop, who scored his first goal since 5 February 2023. The Moroccan attacking midfielder, who returned last week after a lengthy lay-off, pushed Larsonneur's save into the back of the net following Bouanani's shot (75', 7-0). Finally, it was Pablo Rosario who rounded off Nice's recital. An exemplary performer since his arrival at Nice in the summer of 2021, the midfielder took the penalty won by Youssouf Ndayishimiye, beating the Saint-Etienne goalkeeper to score his first goal for the Rouge et Noir (86', 8-0).

It was a magnificent 120th birthday for Les Aiglons, which allows them to regain a provisional fifth place in the table and get back on track after a mixed start to the league campaign. Franck Haise's troops will now set their sights on Europe, when they host Real Sociedad in the Europa League opener on Wednesday.