Nice v PSG: Aiglons fight to avoid drop, Europe out of reach | OneFootball

This Saturday, March 21, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Nice (15th) at the Allianz Riviera (kick-off at 9:05 PM, broadcast on Ligue1+) during the 27th day of Ligue 1 2025-2026. And as before each match, here is the presentation of the Parisians' opponent.

The situation of Nice –

Nice has an overall ambitious project but struggles to really find the right path to settle in the top places of the championship. During the summer of 2024, Franck Haise arrived after successful years at Lens, replacing Francesco Farioli, who left for Ajax Amsterdam.

The former Lens coach installed a more offensive philosophy after the very defensive Nice of the previous season. Without success. Nice was sadly eliminated from the Europa League with 3 points in the league phase (after losing the Champions League playoff against Benfica) and is fighting for survival in Ligue 1.

Haise was replaced by Claude Puel during the winter, and everything did not suddenly improve. There is still the presence in the semi-final of the Coupe de France as a small ray of sunshine. One could easily forget that OGC Nice finished 4th last season, 1 point from 3rd.

The summer transfer window 2025 –

Source: Transfermarkt.

Departures:

Arrivals:

The winter transfer window 2025-2026

Departures:

Arrivals:

Main statistics –

This season, Nice has the 12th best attack in Ligue 1 with 32 goals scored (the first, PSG, has 54, and the last, Le Havre, has 20), and has the 17th defense with 48 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 22 goals conceded and the last, Metz, has 60).

The top scorer for Nice is Sofiane Diop (25-year-old winger), with 7 goals he is 21st in the championship (the first in Ligue 1 is Mason Greenwood with 15 goals). Jonathan Clauss (33-year-old right-back) is the best assist provider for the Nice club with 5 assists and he is 5th in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 8 assists).

The last 5 matches of Nice –

Only Nice's possession is indicated, and Nice's shots are listed first (when data is available).

02/22/2026 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Lorient: 3-2. In 4-2-3-1. 41% possession. 10 shots with 3 on target against 14 shots (6 on target).

03/01/2026 (Ligue 1) – Paris FC (with 10 men at 90+6)/Nice: 1-0. In 4-2-3-1. 59% possession. 9 shots with 3 on target against 12 shots (5 on target).

03/04/2026 (Coupe de France) – Lorient (with 10 men at the 44th minute)/Nice: 0-0 (5-6 pens). In 4-2-3-1. 58% possession. 11 shots with 0 on target against 6 shots (0 on target).

03/08/2026 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Rennes: 0-4. In 4-2-3-1. 40% possession. 11 shots with 3 on target against 10 shots (7 on target).

03/14/2026 (Ligue 1) – Angers/Nice: 0-2. In 4-2-3-2. 56% possession. 12 shots with 10 on target against 6 shots (0 on target).

The Nice squad:

Absentees – Adbelmonem, Bombito, Everton, Jansson, Ndombele (injuries).

The probable team in 3-5-2

Diop – Wahi

Bard – Vanhoutte – Boudaoui – Sanson – Clauss

Bah – Dante – Mendy

Diouf

The playing style of Nice.

With a recent change of coach, Nice still needs to find the right formula. But we have already seen changes with Puel, who notably set aside the 3-man defense for a 4-2-3-1 that should help Nice regain solidity. They will also need to think about scoring more, but this team struggles to be consistent, as well as to avoid some major mistakes. In finishing, as in defense.

It is difficult to predict the approach against PSG, between a low block to counter or an attempt to play high. We rather expect the first option, more in line with the habits of the Nice coach. Especially since Paris seems equipped to have ball possession. However, be careful to stay focused just after the Champions League round of 16 against Chelsea. Nice has a big opportunity to succeed at home to breathe a little during the international break.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.