Paris Saint-Germain and Nice faced off this Saturday at the Allianz Riviera in Matchday 27 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season. The match ended in a 4-0 victory for PSG. After the game, Nice coach Claude Puel spoke to Ligue1+.
Puel: “I think we were on par with Paris in this first half.”
What are your takeaways from a match like this and such a heavy defeat?
Our first half was interesting in terms of our organization, in situations we perhaps could have managed better. They had some good chances, but we also had some good opportunities that we could have converted. We played our game, and it was promising.
Afterwards, it’s always frustrating to go into halftime with a goal, especially in that manner. Then, we conceded that second goal very quickly in the second half, and the game was practically over. Against this team, they kept possession, controlled the ball, and we had to expose ourselves. Then the sending-off finished us off. I’ll focus on the first half because it was interesting, and I think we were on par with Paris in that half.
Puel: “Conceding a goal like that just before halftime is very painful.”
If I understand correctly, you’re telling your players that you competed against PSG in the first half and that great things could happen between now and the end of the season?
Yes, of course. We know this team; they always have control, they lull the opponent into a false sense of security or force them out of position. Then, they accelerate with exceptional individual qualities and outstanding passing players.
I think we contained them well in the first half, and little by little, we created some really good situations, even from our set pieces we had chances to score. We were in the game, but conceding such a goal just before halftime really hurts. We weren’t able to come back in the second half with the same aggression and attacking intent we showed in the first half.
Puel: “We’re starting to get used to having to come to terms with things.”
Will we have to come to terms with it?
We’re starting to get used to having to come to terms with things. Having to come to terms with VAR decisions since I arrived. It’s quite a lot. We’ll deal with it, and at least we know what to expect until the end of the season, and we’re not going to give up.
