PLAYER RATINGS: Nice 2-0 Strasbourg: Francesco Farioli secures first win as Nice manager | OneFootball

Ligue 1, Matchday 4, 03/09/2023

Francesco Farioli got his first win as manager of OGC Nice, as Les Aiglons overcame a passive RC Strasbourg Alsace side at the Allianz Riviera.

Strasbourg were merely passengers throughout. Nice showed plenty of attacking ambition, something that is currently lacking in Patrick Vieira’s side. The French World Cup winner was making his return to the Allianz Riviera, having managed Nice between 2018 and 2020. However, it wasn’t a happy return. Sofiane Diop went close with a curling effort early on, and this was a sign of things to come.

Terem Moffi was at the heart of things, and after nutmegging Lucas Perrin, he drew a smart save from Matz Sels, one of many. He then denied Gaëtan Laborde 1-v-1, with his save falling to Morgan Sanson, who then struck the post. There were gaping holes in Les Alsaciens’ defence, and Nice continued to exploit them. Laborde found himself once again 1-v-1, but once again, Sels came out on top.

But Nice would get their lead before halftime thanks to Youcef Atal, who cut inside before launching a curling left-footed effort into the far corner.

There was no reaction of note from Strasbourg in the second half. Moffi could, and should, have doubled the lead, but 1-v-1 against Sels, his chip struck the post. That miss was inconsequential. Just minutes later Jean-Clair Todibo put him through again, and this time he made no mistake with the chip as he doubled Le Gym’s lead.

Nice player ratings

Marcin Bulka – 6

Melvin Bard – 5

Dante – 5

Jean-Clair Todibo – 7

Youcef Atal – 7

Morgan Sanson – 8 – Involved in everything that was good about NIce, both in and out of possession. He was responsible for winning the ball high on several occasions and had the intelligence to then use the ball efficiently. The Aston Villa loanee has quickly become indispensable in Les Aiglons’ midfield.

Youssuof Ndayishimiye – 6

Hicham Bouadoui – 5

Sofiane Diop – 6

Terem Moffi – 7 – The Nigerian striker has looked isolated at times this season, but that wasn’t the case against Strasbourg. He was involved in all of Nice’s attacking actions and deservedly got his first goal of the season after one of many runs in behind was picked up by a brilliant Todibo pass.

Gaëtan Laborde – 4 – Got himself into the right positions time and time again, and was frequently picked out by his teammates, but he wasn’t his usual clinical self, notably missing two 1-v-1s against Sels.

Selected Strasbourg player ratings

Matz Sels – 7 – Without the Belgian goalkeeper, this could have been ugly for Strasbourg.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle