Amine Gouiri still as precious, Marco Verratti as boss but also the absence of Kylian Mbappé which is felt on the Paris side, discover the tops and flops of this Nice-PSG (1-0).
Tops
Gouiri, the trigger
He is Nice’s most dangerous striker in a game, and the most consistent. From the first minute of play, Amine Gouiri alerted Keylor Navas after a good incursion into the area. Five minutes later, the Nice striker attempted a curling shot with his right foot at the entrance to the opposing penalty area, which narrowly missed the Parisian goals. Constantly touched, the former Lyonnais is the Nice striker who has made the most passes (44). Four shots attempted, match record for Amine Gouiri (tied with Angel Di Maria). He is also valuable on the goal of his own. His call brings the Parisian defenders in the middle and leaves Andy Delort alone at the far post.
Verratti as boss
A discreet start to the match before a rise in power for the Italian this Saturday evening at the Allianz Riviera. Marco Verratti attempted 115 passes during the game, a game record. Omnipresent in the middle of the field, he won 14 of the 16 duels he played, managed six out of eight tackles, and precisely recovered eight balls. This small man of 1m70 makes the ball of three players, and that is understandable when you see his partners around him.
The axis of Nice, an armored door
It’s almost difficult to single out a particular player, but the Aiglons central quartet was impressive. In defence, Dante and Jean-Clair Todibo left no space for opposing forwards and were solid in the air to fend off set pieces. In the middle, Pablo Rosario and Mario Lemina were monstrous. Seven balls recovered for the first, 75% of duels won for the second.
Read alsoLigue 1: PSG crucified in Nice before going to challenge Real
Flops
The absence of Mbappé fatal in Paris
This is unfortunately not a surprise, but it is true once again this Saturday evening in Nice. Paris Saint-Germain is indeed “Mbappé dependent”. With similar profiles, Neymar and Lionel Messi did not disturb the opposing defense. Angel Di Maria too lonely. Little used, the Argentinian has often failed in his choices as during his face-to-face against Walter Benitez (9th) or his foray into the opposing defense (73rd). In total, Paris finished this match with only eight shots, two of which were on target.
Kehrer and Wijnaldum on the mat
Counter-performances which are repeated from week to week for the two Parisians, and a completely amorphous right side. Again aligned in the right lane of the Parisian defense, Thilo Kehrer was too easily overtaken by Amine Gouiri and Melvin Bard. The German defender who also does not help offensively during the possession phases of PSG. For his part, Georginio Wijnaldum remains as transparent as ever. Nine balls touched in the first period. The first after 20 minutes of play after returning from the locker room. The former Liverpool Red seems completely lost in this Paris Saint-Germain. As proof, he was often the most remote midfielder without playing a sentry.
Dolberg was not found
The Danish striker from OGC Nice was also transparent during this match, well padlocked by Abdou Diallo and Marquinhos. A match to forget for Kasper Dolberg, with unflattering statistics. Only 13 passes attempted. Only one shot during the game. A long shot, well above the frame (37th). In the second period (55th), he was very well served by Amine Gouiri (him again) in the box but he lacked control and annihilated a goal action. An action in the image of his match.
