PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 2-2 Nice: Youssouf Ndayishimiye rescues late point to frustrate Alsatians | OneFootball

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 29, 12/04/2025

Strasbourg were trailing at half-time against the run of play courtesy of Nice wing-back Melvin Bard. The hosts turned the game on its head in three minutes in the second half with goals from Emanuel Emegha and Sam Amo-Ameyaw. But they were denied victory with Youssouf Ndayishimiye heading home a 94th-minute equaliser.

THE MATCH

A couple of hours after Monaco’s huge 3-0 win against Marseille, Strasbourg hosted Nice for another important game in the race to the Champions League. With Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali watching from the stands, the home side started with intent, setting up clever pressing traps to dispossess Les Aiglons in their half.

It didn’t take long for Nice’s Marcin Bulka to be called upon. The Polish goalkeeper showed strong hands to deny Dilane Bakwa. The Alsatians’ pace on the wings, with Bakwa and Brighton loanee Valentin Barco, particularly effective, hurt the visitors. But the hosts failed to make their domination materialize on the scoresheet with both Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Emanuel Emegha wasteful on the counter-attacks

Eventually, Nice would punish Strasbourg’s complacency at the back. Both Habib Diarra and Andrew Omobamidele failed to track Melvin Bard’s run to the penalty box, where the left wing-back showed great skill to control Jonathan Clauss’ cross and open the scoring from close range. Nice entered half-time with a slender lead, leaving Liam Rosenior with much to ponder.

The English manager rang the changes with Abdoul Ouattara replacing Felix Lemaréchal. Ten minutes into the second half and Strasbourg turned the game on its head, and they had Nice centre-back Moïse Bombito to thank for. The latter couldn’t properly track Emanuel Emegha’s run and the Dutch centre-forward scored his 13th league goal.

Three minutes later, Bombito would be the culprit again, senselessly losing the ball upfield with Andrey Santos gleefully accepting such a gift. The Chelsea loanee drove the ball into Nice’s penalty box, teeing up Sam Amo-Ameyaw on his right for the England youth international to find the back of the net.

Nice struggled to find a way back with their forward line failing to break open the hosts’ defense. Les Aiglons were seconds away from losing a third consecutive Ligue 1 game but Jonathan Clauss’ 94th-minute corner kick found Youssouf Ndayishimiye, whose header rescued a late point for the visitors. Nice remain on course for the Champions League in sixth place.

Strasbourg players ratings

Đorđe Petrović – 5

Guéla Doué – 5

Ismaël Doukouré – 4

Andrew Omobamidele – 4

Dilane Bakwa – 6

Andrey Santos – 6

Habib Diarra – 5

Valentin Barco – 5

Sam Amo-Ameyaw – 6

Felix Lemaréchal – 4

The midfielder has been fielded higher up the pitch than he used to, and it showed as his influence was minimal in going forward. Liam Rosenior took notice and hooked him at half-time for right-winger Abdoul Ouattara (6).

Emanuel Emegha – 6

The Dutch centre-forward had endured a difficult first half. He notably wasted a great opportunity to open the scoring, when he opted not to tee up Amo-Ameyaw in the penalty box, allowing Bombito to recover the ball. The powerful striker eventually made amends early in the second half, outmuscling Bombito before slotting in the equalizer.

Nice players ratings

Marcin Bulka – 4

Youssouf Ndayishimiye – 6

Moïse Bombito – 2

Unwillingly, the Canada international would define the game with two massive mistakes Strasbourg would capitalize on. First, he allowed Emanuel Emegha a free run at goal after losing his footing. Three minutes later, he lost the ball on his own upfield to Andrey Santos, who would assist Sam Amo-Ameyaw for Strasbourg’s second. Franck Haise had seen enough, calling Bombito back to the bench.

Dante – 5

Jonathan Clauss – 6

Hicham Boudaoui – 5

Baptiste Santamaria – 4

Melvin Bard – 6

Evann Guessand – 3

Nice’s best striker this season had an off game, to say the least. He had no serious opportunity to make his mark on the game and lost countless balls.

Gaëtan Laborde – 4

Jérémie Boga – 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval