PLAYER RATINGS | Auxerre 2-1 OGC Nice: Auxerre drop Nice into relegation playoff spot with one game to go
Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 33, 10/05/2026Three points separated OGC Nice from relegation rivals AJ Auxerre ahead of the penultimate game of the season. A win for Nice would ensure their safety, while...
PLAYER RATINGS | Auxerre 2-1 OGC Nice: Auxerre drop Nice into relegation playoff spot with one game to go Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 33, 10/05/2026 Three points separated OGC Nice from relegation rivals AJ Auxerre ahead of the penultimate game of the season. A win for Nice would ensure their safety, while for Auxerre, it would see them leap out of the relegation playoff spot and dump Les Aiglons in the mire. The Match Nice have been late bloomers recently, coming from behind in three of their past four games to rescue a point.
However, they started fast at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps when Jonathan Clauss threaded Mohamed-Ali Cho through on goal in the 9th minute. The winger-cum-striker’s shot was blocked by centre-back Bryan Okoh, but the deflection was picked up by Sofiane Diop to finish into an open net. Le Gym retreated after the opener, inviting pressure and allowing Auxerre to dominate possession and get the bit between their teeth.
The skies would open, and the downpour would come for Nice in more ways than one. Melvin Bard’s throw-in to Hicham Boudaoui would allow Auxerre to win the ball back. Sékou Mara released Danny Namaso down the right wing.
The winger’s cross was cleared by Antoine Mendy, but only so far as Mara, who tucked his shot into the bottom-left corner. Nice would spend the rest of the first half attempting to put the genie back in the lamp and to grasp hold of possession and take the sting out of Auxerre’s game. Early in the second half, Nice would come close to reclaiming their lead.