This Saturday, March 21st, Paris Saint-Germain (1st) faces Nice (15th) at the Allianz Riviera (kick-off at 9:05 pm, CET) for Matchday 27 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. And as before every match, here’s a look at PSG’s opponent.
Nice’s situation –
Nice has an overall ambitious project, but is struggling to find its footing and establish itself among the top teams in the league. In the summer of 2024, Franck Haise arrived after successful years at Lens, replacing Francesco Farioli, who left for Ajax Amsterdam.
The former Lens coach implemented a more attacking philosophy after the very defensive Nice side of last season. Without success. Nice suffered a disappointing Europa League exit with only 3 points in the league phase (after losing the Champions League playoff against Benfica) and are battling to avoid relegation from Ligue 1.
Haise was replaced by Claude Puel during the winter transfer window, and things haven’t suddenly improved. However, reaching the Coupe de France semi-finals offers a small silver lining. It’s easy to forget that OGC Nice finished 4th last season, just one point behind 3rd place.
Summer transfer window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
The 2025-2026 Winter Transfer Window
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Nice has the 12th best attack in Ligue 1 with 32 goals scored (the best, PSG, has 54, and the worst, Le Havre, has 20), and the 17th best defense with 48 goals conceded (PSG has the best defense with 22 goals conceded, and the worst, Metz, has 60).
Nice’s top scorer is Sofiane Diop (25-year-old winger), with 7 goals, placing him 21st in the league (the top scorer in Ligue 1 is Mason Greenwood with 15 goals). Jonathan Clauss (33-year-old right-back) is Nice’s top assist provider with 5 assists and is 5th in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 8 assists).
Nice’s last 5 matches –
Only Nice’s possession is shown, and Nice’s shots are listed first (when data is available).
February 22, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Lorient: 3-2. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 41% possession. 10 shots, 3 on target, compared to 14 shots (6 on target).
March 1, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Paris FC (playing with 10 men in the 90+6 minute)/Nice: 1-0. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 59% possession. 9 shots, 3 on target, compared to 12 shots (5 on target).
March 4, 2026 (French Cup) – Lorient (down to 10 men in the 44th minute)/Nice: 0-0 (5-6 on penalties). 4-2-3-1 formation. 58% possession. 11 shots, 0 on target vs. 6 shots (0 on target).
March 8, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Nice/Rennes: 0-4. 4-2-3-1 formation. 40% possession. 11 shots, 3 on target vs. 10 shots (7 on target).
March 14, 2026 (Ligue 1) – Angers/Nice: 0-2. 4-2-3-2 formation. 56% possession. 12 shots, 10 on target vs. 6 shots (0 on target).
The Nice squad:
Out – Adbelmonem, Bombito, Everton, Jansson, Ndombele (injuries).
The probable lineup in a 3-5-2 formation:
Diop – Wahi
Bard – Vanhoutte – Boudaoui – Sanson – Clauss
Bah – Dante – Mendy
Diouf
Nice’s playing style:
With another recent coaching change, Nice still needs to find the right formula. However, we’ve already seen some changes with Puel, who notably abandoned the three-man defense in favor of a 4-2-3-1, which should help Nice regain some solidity. They will also need to focus on scoring more goals, but this team struggles with consistency, as well as avoiding some major errors, both in finishing and in defense.
It’s difficult to predict their approach against PSG, whether they will play a low block to counter-attack or try to play a high line. The first option is more likely, as it’s more in line with the Nice coach’s usual approach. Especially since Paris seems well-equipped to dominate possession. However, they must be careful to stay focused after the Champions League round of 16 match against Chelsea. Nice needs a big win at home to give themselves some breathing room during the international break.
