Marseille triumphs over Nice as Maupay shines on debut
- Neal Maupay scored on his full debut for Marseille, leading to a 2-0 victory over Nice.
- Nice hit the woodwork three times and was the more dangerous side in the first half.
- Marseille's win allowed them to remain unbeaten and take a one-point lead in the league standings.
On Saturday, Marseille celebrated its 125th anniversary with a significant victory over Nice in the French league, winning 2-0. Neal Maupay, a new striker who joined on loan from Everton, made an impressive debut by scoring the opening goal in the 40th minute. This match marked Maupay's first start under coach Roberto De Zerbi, and he capitalized on a deflected cross from Luis Henrique to head the ball past Nice's goalkeeper, Marcin Bulka. Despite Marseille's victory, Nice was the more threatening team in the first half, hitting the woodwork three times. Maupay's goal came after Nice's Melvin Bard struck the left post, showcasing the visitors' attacking prowess. In the second half, Luis Henrique doubled Marseille's lead with a stunning curled shot following a one-two with Amine Harit, further solidifying Marseille's control of the match. Marseille's performance was marked by a strong defensive effort, particularly from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who made crucial saves as Nice pressed for a goal in the final minutes. The match concluded with Marseille down to 10 men after Derek Cornelius received a second yellow card for delaying a free kick, but the home side managed to hold on for the win. This victory allowed Marseille to maintain their unbeaten status and take a one-point lead over Paris Saint-Germain in the league standings, although PSG had the opportunity to reclaim the top spot later that day against Brest. Maupay's successful debut not only highlights his potential impact on the team but also adds excitement to Marseille's campaign this season.