ligue1-logo
Legends

Why Always Him?: 5 Legendary Nice-Marseille matches

The long-standing rivalry between Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice may lack the global interest of Le Classique for the former, or the neighborly antagonism of the latter's Côte d'Azur derby, but it's safe to say there's no love lost among the two clubs, who are set to square off again this Sunday as they conclude Matchday 19 at the Allianz Riviera with the Derby de la Mediterranée. With an eye towards the match -- which this season has big implications in the race for the Champions League, we look back at five famous times these two squared off, headlined by a certain Italian striker...
E. DEVIN
Published on 01/25/2025 at 00:00
2-minute read
Mario Balotelli had revenge on his former side in March 2019

2018/19 Ligue 1: Olympique de Marseille 1-0 OGC Nice

Having joined Les Phocéens on a free just six weeks before this match took place in March, Mario Balotelli wasted no getting stuck in against his former side, netting just past the hour as a matter of revenge against his former team as they kept up a chase for the top three at their rivals' expense. Just days after his famous Instagram celebration against Saint-Étienne, he created another memorable moment by playing rock-paper-scissors with Florian Thauvin after scoring.

2016/17 Ligue 1: OGC Nice 3-2 Olympique de Marseille

On their way to finishing third, playing barnstorming football under Lucien Favre, the hosts were ahead inside eight minutes as Balotelli converted a penalty won by Jean-Michäel Seri, but goals from Florian Thauvin and Bafétimbi Gomis saw l'OM take the lead. Balotelli would level the match with a powerful header ten minutes from time before Wylan Cyprien snatched a win just before full time.

apg.jpg

2013/14 Coupe de France: Olympique de Marseille 4-5 OGC Nice

Despite struggling in the 2013/14 season, finishing just two points above the drop, Nice would have Marseille's number all season, beating them home and away in Ligue 1 McDonald's, as well as in the Coupe de France. André-Pierre Gignac scored a brace for the hosts but five different players found the net for Les Aiglons in a narrow win.

2011/12 Coupe de la Ligue Semifinal: Olympique de Marseille 2-1 OGC Nice  

The two sides squared off in an ill-tempered encounter at the Stade Vélodrôme in February 2012, with a chance to earn a trophy on the line. Nice were then halfway into what has become a nearly thirty year trophy drought following their having won the Coupe de France in 1997. Loïc Rémy gave the hosts an early lead, but Nice leveled the game before the interval. In the second half, both Mathieu Valbuena and Franck Dja Djédjé were sent off, and with both sides playing with ten men, Brandão would score the winner just past the hour.

1994/5 Coupe de France: OGC Nice 0-1 Olympique de Marseille

The two sides didn't meet in Ligue 1 McDonald's that season, with OM having suffered administrative relegation. However, when they met in the Coupe de France in February, Tony Cascarino scored the match's only goal to allow his side to progress -- they would eventually reach the semifinals.

Read more:

>> Traoré, Stassin see Sainté, Auxerre battle to draw

>> Preview: Reims clash with PSG and more

 

ligue1-logo
Squads overview