Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Matchday 7, 18/10/26
Olympique Lyonnais had to come back from behind and hold on for more than 20 minutes with 10-men to secure a win against OGC Nice (2-1) and go top of Ligue 1.
Lyon had dominated the opening phase of the game, but when Nice did recover the ball and managed to play through the first line of OL’s defence, they found acres in behind. Poor decision-making meant that it wasn’t always exploited, but it was in the 18th minute when Mohammed Amoura broke out before working the ball to the opposite wing and to Jonathan Clauss. The former Olympique de Marseille defender crossed for another former Marseillais, Elye Wahi, to finish first time.
Noah Nartey forced Yehvann Diouf into a brilliant save, but moments later, we saw the other side of the Senegalese goalkeeper’s game. A simple Julien Duranville cross, spilled, fell straight to Pavel Sulc, who used his first touch to bypass the incoming Diouf and the second to tap home from one yard out. Nice didn’t recover and moments later were behind thanks to a header from Tanner Tessmann, making his first start for Lyon in Ligue 1 this season.
Nice had to get a goal and it was the away side who dominated the second half. Axel Witsel hit the bar, Niels Nkounkou forced Rémy Descamps into a strong save at his near post, Mohammed Amoura was denied by a courageous challenge from Clinton Mata, and that was all before Keito Nakamura’s red card for a high foot on Mohammed Abdelmonem.
Naturally, the pressure on Descamps’ goal increased. Wahi notably hit the inside of the post. As time ran out, he was then played in, but his first touch was loose and Descamps was brave in coming out to deny the Ivory Coast international. He couldn’t do anything about Wahi’s finish in the dying seconds, but the offside was there to deny Nice and ensure that OL finish a gameweek top of Ligue 1 for the first time since 2021.
Rémy Descamps – 6
Abner – 5
Moussa Niakhaté – 6
Clinton Mata – 6
Zachary Athekamé – 7
Such a complete performance. Whilst he was excellent going forward, notably delivering the assist on Tessmann’s goal, it wasn’t at the expense of his defensive duties. He frustrated Amoura, whilst Clauss and Gauthier Hein had much more joy down the other wing. The Algerian’s frustration grew as the game went on and Athekamé’s performance was why.
Noah Nartey – 4
Tanner Tessmann – 6
Mads Bidstrup – 4
Julien Duranville – 5
Pavel Sulc – 6
Kail Boudache – 4
Excellent off the ball, Boudache choked in the key moments against his former club. He lacked that calmness to stick the ball in the net when provided with glaring chances to do so. It isn’t the first time that has been the case this season.
Yehvann Diouf – 4
Xavier Mandza – 5
Youssouf Ndayishimiye – 5
Mohamed Abdelmonem – 6
Niels Nkounkou – 6
Axel Witsel – 5
Hicham Boudaoui – 6
Jonathan Clauss – 6
The France international has looked like a player reborn since he renounced his captaincy. He got the assist here and his delivery on the night was consistent. From right-back, he was once again the playmaker for this Nice side.
Mohamed Amoura – 4
Elye Wahi – 6
Largely disappointing since making his return to Nice over the summer, this was the Wahi that we saw in the second half of last season. He was clinical in taking his first goal and was a constant thorn in the side of the Lyon defence. He lacked the finishing touch, however, missing that big headed chance and failing to time his run on his late disallowed goal.
Gauthier Hein – 5
