After another lively encounter at the Allianz Riviera, OGC Nice beat Strasbourg 2-1 on Sunday. Unbeaten at home after 12 games in Ligue 1, the Rouge et Noir are back in the top five.

‘Never give up’. That could be the motto of the 2024-2025 OGC Nice. As was the case before the international break, the Allianz Riviera was once again alive to the rhythm of a remarkable comeback by the Aiglons on Sunday. As they had done against Monaco (2-1 on 27th October), Twente (2-2 on 7th November ) and Lille (2-2 on 10th November), Le Gym came back from a goal down. Unlike those two games, however, Les Aiglons came out on top this evening on Matchday 12 of Ligue 1.

Faced with an attack-minded Strasbourg side, Franck Haise's men once again turned the tables with grit and determination. For the first time this season, Dante and Co took to the pitch in a 4-3-3 formation. It was a tactical change that required a few minutes of adjustment for the Aiglons, who are used to playing with 3 central defenders.

SOFIANE DIOP LIGHTS UP THE STADIUM

Comfortable against the big boys in the league, with wins over Rennes (MD2, 3-1) and OM (MD6, 1-0) to their credit, Strasbourg took the game by the scruff of the neck, troubling Les Niçois with their speed and the power of their forwards in transition. Particularly dangerous in the opposition half, it was Dilane Bakwa who punished Les Niçois, capitalising on a mistake in the build-up and good movement by Félix Lemaréchal in the box to move Marcin Bułka out of position (0-1, 20').

Hurt, the Rouge et Noir then reacted. It was a revolt spearheaded by two men: Mohamed-Ali Cho and Sofiane Diop. Lining up on the right side of the attack, Cho gave the opposition defence problems with his speed and strength in the duels. Difficult to catch in one-on-one situations, the former Real Sociedad man never stopped threatening Djordje Petrovic's goal but was never rewarded. His overlap that led to Boudaoui's cross towards Boga came to nothing (22'), the same went for his move with Louchet, who’s cross was not well dealt with by Guessand at full stretch (29').

But in the end, the light came from the foot of his teammate. Starting for the first time this season in Ligue 1, and sitting at the heart of the game, Diop followed on from the impact he had made against Lille before the international break. A constant source of inspiration for his team-mates, the attacking midfielder made a superb through ball to Melvin Bard. After a move worthy of an out-and-out striker, Le Gym's left-back made no mistake to slot home past Petrovic (1-1, 54').

LE GYM SPARKED A COMEBACK

Scoring for the first time in 2024-2025, Bard capitalised on a fine start to the second half by Le Gym who had already come close to equalising through Boudaoui, who was initially too unselfish (47') before being thwarted by Petrovic (53'). More aggressive in both areas, technically enterprising and aggressive with their pressing, Les Aiglons continued to cause problems for Racing.

They were finally rewarded after another Diop service was slightly too long for Guessand to collect, but as this Gym side never gives up, Nice's top scorer this season put pressure on Abakar Sylla, who flicked the ball past his own keeper (2-1, 62'). The Allianz Riviera locals had the better of the chances, forcing their opponents into errors.

SETTING COURSE FOR EUROPE

Determined to get back into the game, the Alsatians threw everything they had into the battle late on, but Mara (71') and Bakwa (86') were unable to get the better of Bułka's vigilance. The home side could even have added to their lead late on had Petrovic not saved efforts from Bard (90+3) and then Laborde (90+4).

Unbeaten since the start of the season at the Allianz Riviera, Les Aiglons have also extended their unbeaten run to eight matches in the league. Back in 5th place in the table thanks to this win, Guessand and his team-mates can now turn their attention to another big match ahead: it will be at home again on Thursday evening, but this time in the Europa League, where they will need to show their resilience and ability to beat Glasgow Rangers.

Hugo Rondet