Guessand, Cho see Nice past OM
A bright start for the hosts
Despite injuries still limiting manager Franck Haise's options (Moïse Bombito and Pablo Rosario were unavailable from the off alongside the team's long-term absentees, and Sofiane Diop was suspended), Nice were well up for this encounter, despite Marseille's strong start to the season that saw them enter the round second in the table. Indeed, it would take just eight minutes for Les Aiglons to find the net, with Evann Guessand turning Lilian Brassier on the counter, netting his ninth of the season with the match's first big chance.
Marseille would respond in kind, though, as Roberto de Zerbi has had his side do all season. Mason Greenwood had l'OM's first shot on target less than ten minutes later, followed shortly by a tame effort by Adrien Rabiot. With more than 70% possession, the visitors continued to control play, but Nice would have their moments on the counter, as Gaëtan Laborde flashed an overhead kick wide (36') and Jonathan Clauss' effort from close range (43') was blocked.
A 5-star show from Nice against Marseille! 🔥🤯 pic.twitter.com/Xx5OIlNuOg
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 26, 2025
Bulka makes the difference
The two teams thus entered halftime with Les Aiglons a goal to the good, but it wouldn't take long after the interval for Nice to double their lead. Playing as they had all evening on the counter, Mohamed-Ali Cho ran on to a defence-splitting pass from Guessand, slotting the ball past Geronimo Rullí to make it 2-0 (50'). As had been the case in the first half, l'OM would respond, with Rabiot's rasping effort being stopped at his near post by Marcin Bulka (six saves).
With Bulka vigilant the rest of the evening, Nice would eventually record an impressive win, leaving them well-situated domestically despite a frustrating elimination from Europe in the week. Speaking post-match, Haise lauded his players and their potential, saying, "I congratulate the players because they played the match that it took to beat Marseille by pressing high, with a compact, disciplined block. It's a game that shows the squad that with this level of intelligence and selflessness we are capable of achieving wonderful things."
Next up for Nice in Ligue 1 McDonald's is a trip to Toulouse FC, while Marseille will take part in another high-stakes match -- this time against Olympique Lyonnais -- in Sunday's nightcap.
the stat: 25
Since the beginning of October, OGC Nice have picked up 25 points in Ligue 1 McDonald's (7 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses) -- only Paris Saint-Germain (31) have done better in that period.
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