Injuries have followed in almost every game. Against Paris Saint-Germain, just before the international break, Youssouf Ndayishimiye (initially hamstring but now a back issue) and Ali Abdi (ankle) were both forced off. Both are absent to face FC Nantes on Sunday. Mohamed-Ali Cho is also a doubt to make the trip to La Beaujoire. 

Laborde returns for Nice

Melvin Bard (knee) is already out; Sanson is yet to make his return; and Tanguy Ndombélé, who had been nursing a hip injury, will also miss the game against Nantes, as revealed by Franck Haise in a press conference, transcribed by France Bleu Azur. 

There is a piece of good news, however, as Gaetan Laborde returns following a significant two-month absence with a fractured metatarsal. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Bouanani started in Le Gym’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League in late September, a sign of the Algeria international’s growing stature at the club. He has already made nine appearances for Nice this season, including four starts. That comes after a loan spell at FC Lorient last season, during which he made 11 appearances, scoring once. 

The winger has over two years remaining on his deal, however, Les Aiglons have been looking to extend his contract for a further two years, which would tie him to the club until 2029. L’Équipe had previously reported that talks between the player and the club were advancing positively. The deal now looks to have been sealed and it will be confirmed at the start of next week. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

He joined the Ligue 1 side in a €7m move in a transfer that raised a few eyebrows. Bombito arrived with a certain pressure, given that he was replacing Jean-Clair Todibo, who established himself as one of the best defenders in the league before going on to join West Ham United in the summer. 

With seven appearances in all competitions, he has quickly established himself as a first pick under Franck Haise at Nice, alongside Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Dante. He is now garnering big praise from his manager at international level, Jesse Marsch. 

The centre-back only made his debut in June 2023, however, he has now become indispensable for Canada. He has since earned 14 caps. He started alongside Olympique de Marseille’s Derek Cornelius against Panama earlier this week, and post-match, he earned a glowing review from Marsch.

“His talent is among the best in the world in that position,” said Marsch in post-match comments, transcribed by The Athletic journalist Joshua Kloke. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

In late September, L’Équipe reported that talks to extend the Poland international’s current deal, which is set to expire at the end of next season, had met a dead-end. With little chance of talks re-starting, Bulka reportedly had his sights set on a departure from Le Gym at the end of the current campaign. 

However, as reported by Nice-Matin, in the wake of a draw against RC Lens, those talks were re-ignited and there is renewed optimism of a deal being reached. The latest offer from Le Gym’s hierarchy is much closer to the demands of the Poland international. 

However, Bulka has yet to put pen to paper, and the while, big clubs are circling. Speaking in an interview on Polish television, transcribed by Foot Mercato, the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper revealed interest from Barcelona, initially reported by Catalan media Sport. 

“Barcelona? As they say, in every rumour there is a bit of truth […] I am here to perform well every week and give arguments for clubs like that to speak about me. It really is a compliment. When someone speaks about these clubs, it is extra motivation for me and a sign that I am doing things well,” said Bulka. 

Whilst Bulka insisted that he was “focused” on Nice, as he has done repeatedly, he did not close the door to a summer departure. “I have my dreams and my objectives. I want to play in the Champions League, I want to play for the national team in the biggest competitions and be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I don’t have a dream club where I would like to play,” he said. 

He added that he wants to help Les Aiglons qualify for the UEFA Champions League and reminded that he was under contract at the club until 2026, however, he said “We will see what will happen” when questioned on a move at the end of the current campaign.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Youssouf Ndayishimiye (25) was also on the treatment table at the start of the season. The Burundi international missed the first game of the campaign before returning for a late cameo in the second game, a 1-1 draw against Toulouse FC. However, he may now be set for another period on the sidelines. 

Ndayishimiye was withdrawn in the 57th minute of Nice’s 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night. Speaking in a post-match press conference, attended by Get French Football News, his manager confirmed the nature of the injury. “Without any doubt, Youssouf has a hamstring injury,” began Franck Haise. 

He added, “We hope that he stopped [playing] in time. We don’t know how long he will be out.” The hope will be that it is only a very minor injury and that he will be once again operational after the international break. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice

In a post-match press conference, attended by Get French Football News, Nice manager Franck Haise saluted his side’s first-half performance, however, with big chances missed by Evann Guessand and Mohamed-Ali Cho, there was also some room for a little regret. 

“I would say we played a good first half, even a very good first half in some sequences and which would have been an excellent first half if we had been a bit more efficient. But, with the energy that we had (Nice played away to Lazio in torrential conditions in Rome on Thursday), it was the first half that we wanted to have because we knew that we weren’t going to dominate this PSG side either,” said Haise. 

He added, “In the second half, there isn’t just a lack of energy, there is also an opponent […] we had a rigorous, brave second half. Obviously a harder one, but I think that in this difficult moment, we played pretty well.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice

Paris Saint-Germain were held to a draw (1-1) by OGC Nice on Sunday night, allowing AS Monaco to remain top of Ligue 1 after they beat Stade Rennais the previous night. 

The Match

Nice, and Evann Guessand in particular, began the game brightly and on the front foot. Twice in the first five minutes, he burst down the right and flashed a ball across the face of the goal. No-one was there on either occasion, although Mohamed-Ali Cho was close to getting a flick on the second. It was Cho who then almost gave Le Gym the lead but his header from six yards was well saved by a sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Nice looked to have missed their chance but PSG were completey lacking in intensity. Bradley Barcola had a half chance but his weak flick past Marcin Bulka was easily saved by the recovering Youssouf Ndayishimiye. Les Aiglons then took the lead before the break. It came through an unexpected source – Ali Abdi. 

The wing-back, signed as a “joker” transfer following the closure of the transfer window, half-volleyed in. His shot took an important deflection of Nuno Mendes, which took it past Donnarumma. The Portuguese defender atoned for his error early in the second half. 

It was a different version of PSG that emerged from the dressing room for the second half and one without Randal Kolo Muani. They were much improved with Lee Kang-in’s presence through the middle and they levelled through Mendes, whose half-volley went in in much the same was as Ali Abdi’s in the first half. This time, it was Moïse Bombito with the unfortunate deflection. 

Nice then had to survive a barrage. Marquinhos hit the post minutes after the equaliser, whilst Bradley Barcola, kept quiet on the night, forced Bulka into a save. The Polish goalkeeper was forced into a series of standard saves before the final whistle, whilst Marquinhos almost turned a Jonathan Clauss shot into his own goal, however, neither side could find a winner. The draw sees Monaco go two poins clear of PSG at the top of Ligue 1.

OGC Nice player ratings

Marcin Bulka – 6

A mixed bag for Bulka, who made multiple strong saves but who was uncharacteristically nervy and clumsy with the ball at his feet. 

Dante – 5

Youssouf Ndayishimiye – 5

Moïse Bombito – 7

A really key performer for Nice. He was a presence within his own box, helping Le Gym clear their lines on multiple occasions, whilst he also used his pace to make key recoveries, most notably on Barcola midway through the second-half. He celebrated that one like he had scored a goal. 

Ali Abdi – 6

Tanguy Ndombélé – 7

This is a version of Ndombélé that Tottenham never saw. The Frenchman was eye-catching in possession, but what stood out more was his work in recovering the ball for Nice. He won eight out of his 11 duels and made two interceptions. He was often the instigator for Les Aiglons in transition. Another accomplished, composed and effective performance in the midfield. 

Hicham Boudaoui – 5

Jonathan Clauss – 6

Jérémie Boga – 5

Evann Guessand – 4

A mixed night for the academy product, who was important for Nice in holding the ball up and feeding the ball in behind. However, his touch too often deceived him, oftentimes in dangerous transitional situations from which Nice looked primed to profit. 

Mohame Ali-Cho – 6

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5

Nuno Mendes – 6

Willian Pacho – 6

Marquinhos – 5

Achraf Hakimi – 4

Fabián Ruiz – 6

The Spaniard constantly found pockets of space, even if he wasn’t often found, particularly in the first-half, but his ability to work neatly in tight areas was key for PSG as they ramped up the pressure early in the second half.

João Neves – 4

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 4

Bradley Barcola – 5

The Frenchman was kept quiet by Nice’s defence. He had one strong trademark burst into the box but could not beat BUlka. A clean performance but not an impactful one. 

Randal Kolo Muani – 2

Replaced by Lee Kang-in (6) at half-time after another phantom-like performance up-front. The France international once again failed to take his chance, struggling to get into the gamee, and when he did, he showed his rustiness with looe touches and stray passes. The difference between Kolo Muani and Lee Kang-in was night and day, with the latter allowing for better circulationf of the ball and helping PSG sustain periods of pressure in the final third.

Ousmane Dembélé – 5

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice

Two players are set to return to the line-up following minor injuries: Tanguy Ndombélé and Mohamed-Ali Cho. The latter has been out for a fortnight with a minor heel injury but is now fit enough to start against PSG. His return is likely to push Youssoufa Moukoko onto the bench. 

Ndombélé’s return is likely to see Pablo Rosario benched. The former Tottenham Hotspur man will start alongside Hicham Boudaoui. Melvin Bard, Morgan Sanson, Gaëtan Laborde, and Terem Moffi all remain out for Nice. Bard and Laborde could return after the international break, with both players expected to return to first-team training within the next fortnight. 

Nice likely line-up v PSG

Marcin Bulka; Dante, Moïse Bombito, Youssouf Ndayishimiye; Ali Abdi, Tanguy Ndombélé, Hicham Boudaoui, Jonathan Clauss; Jérémie Boga, Evann Guessand, Mohamed-Ali Cho. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Dembélé was then set to be reintegrated, however, that reintegration was pushed back with the former Barcelona forward diagnosed with tonsillitiss. He is nonetheless expected to return, and to start, for PSG against Nice. Whilst Gianluigi Donnarumma has come under pressure for recent performances, he is expected to retain his position in goal ahead of Matvey Safonov. That is despite being at fault for both of Arsenal’s goals on Tuesday. 

There are no fresh injury concerns for PSG, who remain without Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, and Gonçalo Ramos. 

PSG likely lineup v OGC Nice

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi; Fabián Ruiz, João Neves, Warren Zaïre-Emery; Bradley Barcola, Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Donnarumma was at fault for both of Arsenal’s goals in the midweek tie, something that was not out of the ordinary for the goalkeeper. Donnarumma has an unfortunate reputation for making costly errors in the Champions League. 

Paris Saint-Germain have seemingly not placed their full trust in the Italian international as they were swift to secure competition for the goalkeeper over the summer bringing in Matvei Safanov (25) as the backup for the role. 

Luis Enrique blames himself instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma

However, Luis Enrique has leapt to Donnarumma’s defence during his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s tie with OGC Nice. “We have been talking about this subject for years, well before I arrived here. I have no problems. There are no mistakes from Donnarumma in goal.”

The manager continued, “We should have, collectively, resolved the problem well before [Donnarumma was involved]. It’s not his fault, I repeat, the culprit is me. My career is full of these types of situations, I will overcome it with work and the ability to motivate my players.” 

“I am used to people being relentless with Donnarumma. I am confident in what I see in sessions, in matches. If you’re looking for someone to blame, it’s me, leave Donnarumma alone, blame me,” Luis Enrique concluded. 

The capital club travels south for the Sunday match as they hope to return to winning ways. A draw against Stade de Reims last weekend preceded the first loss of the season to Arsenal.

GFFN | Nick Hartland