OGC Nice drew 1-1 against Nantes on Matchday 8 of Ligue 1. Despite trailing in the second half against the run of play, Franck Haise’s men equalised thanks to a goal from Evann Guessand.

Nice and FC Nantes finished level at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Matchday 8 of Ligue 1 (1-1). Nice dominated the first half but failed to convert their chances. In the second half, Nantes took the lead after the hour mark through Abline (1-0, 67'). However, Nice quickly responded with Guessand’s beautiful strike (1-1, 72’). This draw provisionally places Nice in 8th position with 10 points.

At kick-off, Franck Haise set his team up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Bulka, Mendy, Bombito, Abdelmonem, Clauss, Rosario (captain), Boudaoui, Abdi, Guessand, Moukoko and Boga in the starting eleven.

A dominant Nice in the first half

From the opening minutes, Nice took control of the game against a struggling Nantes side. The visitors quickly settled in the opposing half, setting a fast pace. After a defensive error from Nantes, Moukoko’s shot was saved by Lafont, though he was flagged offside (2’). Nantes responded with a header from Cozza, which was easily caught by Bulka (4’). Nice intensified the pressure as the minutes passed, notably through Evann Guessand, who delivered a dangerous cross (9’) and made a solo run from midfield (15’). Moments later, Boga's powerful shot was deflected for a corner by Lafont (19’), and the Nantes goalkeeper made another save after a long-range effort from Abdi (20’).

Nice’s dominance continued, with Rosario heading just wide from a Clauss corner (21'). Jeremie Boga came closest to scoring in the 28th minute when his close-range shot, following a precise pass from Ali Abdi, was heroically blocked by Zézé. Nantes responded with a chance through Mohamed, but Bombito deflected his shot for a corner (43’). Just before half-time, Guessand tried his luck with a powerful strike, but Lafont denied him once again (45’). Despite their dominance, the teams went into the break at 0-0.

Nice fall behind

The second half began at a slower pace. Nantes returned with more intent, exemplified by Lepenant’s shot from outside the box that was comfortably saved by Bulka (47’). Nice attempted to regain the initiative, with Boga making a spectacular move on the left before passing to Moukoko, whose return pass set up Boga for a shot, but Lafont made another key save (52’).

With the game slowing down, Nantes remained on the lookout for opportunities. On the hour mark, Mollet tried a low shot, but it was too weak, and Bulka easily collected it. Then, the match took a turn. After a perfectly delivered cross from Moses Simon, Abline connected with a diving header, beating Bulka and giving Nantes the lead against the run of play (1-0, 67’).

Guessand equalises

Nice then made two substitutions, with Moukoko and Boga replaced by Diop and Laborde. The visitors reacted with a curling shot from Rosario, which Lafont parried away (70’). Trailing, Nice chased an equaliser in a tense finale, and their efforts paid off. In the 72nd minute, Guessand received the ball in the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner (1-1). It was a beautiful finish to a team move initiated by Antoine Mendy, whose cross was perfectly placed. The two substitutes, Laborde and Diop, also played key roles in the build-up, with Laborde’s clever dummy and Diop’s assist.

With the game on level terms, Nice pushed to take the lead in the closing stages but couldn’t break through. In the dying moments, Bulka secured the point for Nice with two crucial saves, denying Amian and Lepenant (90+3').

Looking ahead to Europe

Before hosting AS Monaco on Sunday 27 October at the Allianz Riviera on Matchday 9 of Ligue 1 (kick-off at 5pm), Nice will travel to Hungary to face Ferencváros TC in the Europa League next Thursday (kick-off at 6:45pm).