Bordeaux lose in Nice [1-0]

Lining up in 5-3-2 for the first time this season, Bordeaux won the toss and started brightly. Nicolas De Préville charged down the middle and unleashed a shot in the 5th minute, but it ricocheted back off the defence. The Girondins looked solid and confident, making short work of the hosts' attacking intentions and seeking to strike on the break. But they gradually began to surrender possession to Nice, and slip back into defensive mode. They still created a few chances, such as Youssouf Sabaly's curling shot which crept just outside Benitez's right post (21’). The first warning came in the 30th minute: Jérôme Prior came out to intercept a cross but mis-timed his leap, forcing him to scramble to recover the ball from Balotelli. Pléa retrieved the rebound, but fortunately fired it over the bar. A few minutes later Prior was not so lucky. Le Marchand floated in a cross for Lees-Melou who headed down for Balotelli. First shot on target, first goal (36', 1-0 to Nice). Bordeaux were soon back up the other end, but Maxime Poundjé was pulled down before he could reach the goal. The ball fell to Jaroslav Plasil, who promptly hit the post. (38’) Three minutes before the break, Nicolas De Préville connected with a nice ball from François Kamano but fired his shot over Benitez and over the crossbar (42’). After the break, Nice began to monopolise the ball. Balotelli produced a rocket in the 58th minute, but Jérôme Prior managed to box it away. Lees-Melou seized upon the rebound, and hit the post again! Jocelyn Gourvennec decided to make an attcking change, bringing on Malcom for Théo Pellenard (62’). Lucien Favre's side had adopted a highdefensive line in this second half, and Bordeaux were struggling to get forward. They managed it in the 66th minute, when Malcom laid off for Youssouf Sabaly. Sabaly centred for François Kamano, but it was just beyond his reach. Two minutes later, Jérôme Prior pulled off a fine save to deny Lees-Melou (68’). Bordeaux kept on pushing forward as time ticked away, but Nice were well-organised in defence. Nicolas De Préville tried his luck from distance in the 91st minute, but once again his shot flew over the bar. Girondins 1-0 OGC Nice at the Allianz Riviera.