OGC Nice Beat Olympique de Marseille 3-0 in Pre-Season Friendly

Published Jul 26, 07:29 PM UTC

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In a pre-season friendly played at La Commanderie under heavy rain, OGC Nice defeated Olympique de Marseille 3-0. Bruno Genesio fielded an experimental Marseille defense missing key players like Nayef Aguerd and Leonardo Balerdi. Nice took the lead through Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga in the 20th minute, doubled it via Sofiane Diop just before halftime, and sealed the win with a third goal by young Aboulaye Camara in the second half. Despite some promising play from Marseille, including chances from Neal Maupay and Igor Paixao, Nice's efficiency proved decisive. Both teams made numerous substitutions in the second half. Marseille's next friendly is against Nîmes on July 30, followed by matches against Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid in August.

Source report

After the highs of Abidjan last weekend, Olympique de Marseille came crashing back down to earth at La Commanderie this Saturday afternoon, losing 0-3 to OGC Nice under a black sky and driving rain.

Experimental Defense Fielded

Bruno Genesio was forced to deploy an experimental backline, missing key defenders Nayef Aguerd, Facundo Medina, and Leonardo Balerdi.

With Gerónimo Rulli absent, Jeffrey De Lange started in goal. CJ Egan-Riley took on the role of veteran in central defense, partnering young Hilan Hamzaoui—who had played only a handful of Ligue 1 minutes last May during a dismal 3-0 defeat in Nantes. Emerson Palmieri started on the left flank, with another youngster, Kelyann Bezahaf, on the right.

Genesio's Principles Begin to Show

The makeshift defense was breached on a well-worked Nice move finished by Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga (20th minute), then faltered again on a central attack ended by Sofiane Diop (42nd minute). Nice led 2-0 at halftime, displaying clinical efficiency.

Despite the scoreline, OM had taken control of the match early on, with an initial move led by Jonathan Clauss. Two sharp interventions from Nice goalkeeper Teddy Boulhendi prevented Igor Paixao from opening the scoring.

Marseille showed signs of Bruno Genesio's tactical principles: a high block, pressing, and counter-pressing. Angel Gomes partnered Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg in midfield, with a trio of Mmadi, Harit, and Paixao supplying Neal Maupay up front.

Third Goal Seals Result

The former OGC Nice striker Maupay came close to reducing the deficit early in the second half with a header. However, after another Marseille opportunity, Nice scored a third goal: a raid by Mohamed-Ali Cho finished from close range by 18-year-old prospect Aboulaye Camara.

Both teams made extensive substitutions in the second half, with Geoffrey Kondogbia, Ulisses Garcia, Himad Abdelli, and Keyliane Abdallah entering at the 46th minute.

Upcoming Fixtures

OM will face Nîmes on July 30 at La Commanderie in another closed-door friendly, followed by two gala matches at the Vélodrome:

August 9: vs Athletic Bilbao
August 14: vs Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid

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Source

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Original headline: L'OGC Nice domine l'Olympique de Marseille en amical à la Commanderie

Original language: FR-FR

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