PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 1-3 Nice: Ligue 1 champions lose unbeaten record ahead of Champions League clash against Arsenal

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 31, 25/04/25

PSG have lost their first game of the domestic campaign, failing to complete an unbeaten season. Nice made the most of PSG’s shortcomings at the back and complacency up front. Les Aiglons had Marcin Bulka – immense between the sticks – and Morgan Sanson to thank for

The Match

Three days before their season-defining Champions League semi-final clash against Arsenal, PSG hosted Nice in the curtain-raiser for Ligue 1’s Matchweek 31. Despite the imminence of a trip to the Emirates Stadium, PSG head coach Luis Enrique opted to go strong against Les Aiglons, fielding a starting XI that is expected to feature again against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

PSG proceeded to dominate large parts of the first half, but they failed to punish their opponents. Nice had Marcin Bulka to thank for, with the Pole coming clutch with a flurry of great saves to frustrate Les Parisiens. The latter could only blame themselves for their lack of an end product. Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué notably missed sitters to open the scoring near the half-hour mark.

PSG’s complacency was rightly punished by Nice, who made the most of their first shot on target. Badredine Bouanani drove the ball forward, spotted a flaw in PSG’s right side and threaded a great outside-of-the-boot pass for Morgan Sanson to run into. The former Aston Villa midfielder’s attempt fizzed under Gianluigi Donnarumma.

It only took PSG six minutes to respond. Dembélé lofted a great ball for Fabian Ruiz into the penalty box, and the Spaniard hit the half-volley between Bulka’s legs. It didn’t take long for Nice to reclaim their lead. 20 seconds into the second half, Nice worked their way on PSG’s right side again. Jonathan Clauss lifted an impeccable cross for Sanson to double his account with a stunning volley from close range.

PSG tried to maintain their game plan, keeping possession of the ball, but Nice held firm. Les Aiglons even grew into the game, showing a renewed sense of urgency. Despite the loss of club captain Mohamed Abdelmonem to a knee injury, Nice rallied and doubled their lead. Youssouf Ndayishimiye rose the highest to head in Badredine Bouanani’s free-kick, outmuscling Fabian Ruiz.

PSG conceded their first defeat, failing to find the back of the net in the second half as Bulka proved absolutely immense. The Pole eventually managed to complete 11 saves. Nice climb up to fourth, strengthening their credentials for a Champions League spot. As for PSG, the general rehearsal for the Arsenal semi-finals has gone badly wrong.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 3

Achraf Hakimi – 4

Marquinhos – 3

The Brazilian centre-back has seen his performances dwindle lately, and tonight was a very low moment for him. He should not escape blame for the way PSG have conceded Sanson’s opener. He endangered Donnarumma with a loose back-pass header and proceeded to lose Sanson for his second goal. He was even hooked in the second half by Luis Enrique. Food for thought for Arsenal strikers?

Willian Pacho – 4

Nuno Mendes – 4

João Neves – 4 

Vitinha – 5

Fabian Ruiz – 5

Désiré Doué –  4

Ousmane Dembélé – 4

The France striker’s purple patch looks well and truly over. He has missed several big goal-scoring opportunities.

Khvicha Kvaratskelia –  4

Selected Nice player ratings

Marcin Bulka – 9

The Pole has been absolutely brilliant, pulling off 11 strong saves to maintain his side’s lead. In his day, the Nice goalkeeper is a world-beater, and PSG know it too well.

Morgan Sanson – 8

The former Aston Villa midfielder has been the driving force behind Nice’s historical win tonight, scoring two goals, including a brilliant volley only 20 minutes into the second half. How have Nice missed this as Sanson’s campaign derailed with a serious injury?

GFFN | Bastien Cheval