Bernauer and Mendy stand out as Saint-Étienne and Nice play out 0-0 | OneFootball

Saint-Étienne and Nice played out a 0-0 at Geoffroy-Guichard, a contest without a single shot on target and with both sides seemingly already eyeing the return leg. L'Équipe notes Maxime Bernauer and Antoine Mendy were the clearest bright spots.

On 24 minutes Luan Gadegbeku conceded a set piece for a foul on Sanson. Six minutes later Bernauer's rare error almost let Bah in. Kojo Peprah Oppong then risked a penalty on Gadegbeku at 35, before VAR cancelled a home award at 36.

Lucas Stassin miskicked a cross at 39, then caught Oppong in the face at a corner, an overzealous challenge not punished with a penalty at 41 as Geoffroy-Guichard gasped. Just before the break, Zuriko Davitashvili fed Appiah, whose cross went straight to Diouf.

After half-time, Stassin's heavy touch with his back to goal at 48 summed up his night, though he later nicked a counter ball off Sanson at 64. Davitashvili's neat feint ended with a curled effort wide at 58. Bernauer later strode out to curl off target at 66.

Bernauer's positioning alongside Le Cardinal underpinned a composed display that repelled danger. For Nice, Mendy impressed at right-back with athletic duelling and purposeful carries, even if his few forays lacked end product.

Up front, Mohamed-Ali Cho toiled and was replaced by Kevin Carlos on 63 minutes. On the left, Tiago Gouveia started for the first time since early January and was withdrawn at half-time for Abdi. Oppong improved steadily, his reading of flight proving useful.

Source: L'Équipe