Nice v Lorient: season opener after contrasting friendlies | OneFootball

Nice and Lorient kick off their Ligue 1 campaigns on Saturday, 22 August 2026, in Nice, with both sides looking to put early points on the board after mixed summers.

Recent meetings have been tight. Nice and Lorient drew 3-3 in Ligue 1 in February 2026 and finished 0-0 in the Coupe de France quarter-finals before a shootout decided the tie.

Les Aiglons come in unbeaten in their last two friendlies after goalless draws with Cagliari and Hull, having earlier beaten Marseille 3-0 and Nîmes 4-0. Lorient lost back-to-back friendlies to Angers and Elversberg, following three straight wins over Concarneau, Nantes and UNFP.

Olivier Pantaloni's side are set to line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Jonathan Clauss and Melvin Bard offering width and Sofiane Diop supporting the front line. For Lorient, Yvon Mvogo anchors a 3-4-2-1 that could again be marshalled by Montassar Talbi and Nathaniel Adjei.

Wide areas may shape the game. Les Aiglons could look to Clauss and Bard to supply from the flanks, while Lorient may seek Theo Le Bris and Arthur Avom to carry threat between the lines. With Yehvann Diouf and Mvogo in goal, a single moment could separate two organised sides.

A win would put three points on the board for either side on matchday one and set the tone for September. Les Aiglons then travel to Paris FC, while Lorient are scheduled to host Troyes.