On a cold Friday night in Nice, Olympique de Marseille turned the Allianz Riviera into a funeral pyre for their rivals’ title hopes, thrashing OGC Nice 5-1 in a performance that sent shockwaves through French football. The match, played on the 13th matchday of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 seasonNice, France, wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration. Mason Greenwood, the 23-year-old English winger, delivered a brace, while 36-year-old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reminded everyone why he still belongs among Europe’s elite strikers. The result pushed Marseille to 28 points, leapfrogging Paris Saint-Germain by a single point and turning the title race into a proper dogfight.
How Marseille Broke Nice’s Back
It started quietly. A corner in the 14th minute. The ball dropped like a bomb in the six-yard box. Aubameyang, moving like a man half his age, guided it past goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli—wait, no, that’s not right. Rulli was in goal for Marseille. Nice’s keeper? Matteo Gabbia, making his first league start after a string of injuries. He didn’t stand a chance. The goal came from a set-piece that exposed Nice’s static defense, as beIN SPORTS USA noted: "Too static at the back." By halftime, it was 2-0. Greenwood, who’d been buzzing down the left flank all night, doubled the lead with a curling left-footed finish after a slick one-two with Arkadiusz Milik. Nice had barely touched the ball in Marseille’s third.
The second half was a masterclass in controlled destruction. Marseille didn’t just score—they dismantled. Adrien Rabiot threaded a pass through the heart of Nice’s midfield that Jonathan David finished with clinical precision. Then came the fourth: a counterattack so fast it left Nice’s defenders stumbling. Greenwood, this time on the right, cut inside and fired low past Gabbia. The crowd, once loud and hopeful, fell silent. Only a late header from Mohamed Ali Cho, assisted by Sofian Diop, offered any comfort for the home side. It was a consolation. Nothing more.
Managerial Masterstroke: De Zerbi’s Tactical Revolution
Under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille haven’t just improved—they’ve reinvented themselves. The Italian, who took over in June 2024 after leaving Brighton, has installed a fluid, high-pressing system that looks more like Ajax than the old, reactive Marseille side. His midfield trio of Rabiot, Gerson Kondogbia, and Valentin Rongier controls the tempo like a symphony conductor. And the front three? A blur of movement. Aubameyang, often criticized for slowing down, has become a decoy—pulling defenders out of position so Greenwood and David can exploit the gaps.
De Zerbi’s men have scored 28 goals in 13 games—the highest in Ligue 1. They’ve conceded just 11. That’s not luck. That’s structure. And it’s working. Nice, by contrast, look lost. Their 4-3-3 formation collapsed under pressure. Their fullbacks were caught too high. Their central defenders never tracked runners. "They need a reaction," said beIN SPORTS USA’s commentator. "Otherwise, it’s four straight defeats." And now, it’s five.
The Ripple Effect: PSG Under Pressure
Paris Saint-Germain, who entered the weekend still leading the table, now face a crisis of confidence. Their 1-1 draw against Lille on November 19 left them one point behind Marseille—with a tougher fixture ahead against Lyon on November 24. If they slip up, the gap widens. And with AS Monaco and RC Lens also in hot pursuit, the title race has become a three-horse thriller.
For Marseille, this win isn’t just about points. It’s about belief. They haven’t won Ligue 1 since 2010. The city hasn’t seen a parade since then. Now, with 11 games left, they’re not just contenders—they’re the team to beat. And they’ve got the form, the goals, and the manager to prove it.
What Went Wrong for Nice?
Nice’s season has been a rollercoaster. They started strong, winning four of their first five games. But since October, they’ve looked brittle. Against Marseille, their lack of cohesion was glaring. Their captain, Azzedine Abdi, was visibly frustrated, shouting at teammates throughout. Their midfield lacked bite. Their defense was slow to adapt. And their star striker, Amadou Onana, was held completely quiet—his first goalless outing in six matches.
Statistically, Nice had been decent at home—4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss at Allianz Riviera. But this wasn’t just a loss. It was a collapse. They’ve now gone six matches without a clean sheet. And with injuries piling up—Amir Rrahmani out for the season, Malick Thiaw doubtful for next week—their top-half ambitions are slipping away.
What’s Next?
Marseille face Stade Rennais on December 2, away, before the international break. A win there, and they’ll be five points clear. PSG, meanwhile, must beat Lyon on November 24—and hope Marseille slip up. But with Greenwood in form and Aubameyang still scoring, Marseille don’t look like they’re slowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Mason Greenwood’s performance impact Marseille’s title chances?
Greenwood’s brace against Nice—his sixth and seventh goals of the season—cemented his status as Marseille’s most dangerous attacker. His pace, dribbling, and finishing have become crucial in De Zerbi’s system, especially against compact defenses. With 7 goals in 13 games, he’s now the team’s top scorer and a major reason Marseille have scored more goals than any other side in Ligue 1 this season.
Why is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still effective at 36?
Aubameyang’s success comes from intelligent movement and timing, not just speed. He’s dropped deeper to link play, allowing him to conserve energy while still being in the right place for finishes. His fifth league goal of the season puts him on pace for 15+ goals—a remarkable return for a player past 35. His leadership and professionalism have also elevated the younger attackers around him.
What does this loss mean for OGC Nice’s season?
Nice’s 5-1 defeat leaves them in 9th place with 18 points, 10 behind the top four. With only 5 wins in 13 games and a leaky defense, they’re now fighting to avoid a mid-table stagnation. Their next three fixtures—against Strasbourg, Montpellier, and Lille—are winnable, but they need immediate defensive improvements or risk missing European qualification entirely.
Can Paris Saint-Germain still win Ligue 1 after this result?
Yes—but it won’t be easy. PSG must win their next three games, including the critical match against Lyon, and hope Marseille drop points at least twice before January. With Mbappé’s contract situation still unresolved and injuries to Vitinha and Boufal, their squad depth is being tested. Marseille’s momentum, however, makes them the favorites now.
How has Roberto De Zerbi changed Marseille’s playing style?
De Zerbi replaced Marseille’s traditional direct, physical approach with a possession-based, high-pressing system inspired by his time at Brighton and Sassuolo. They now dominate possession (58% average), press higher up the pitch, and create more chances from open play. The result? More goals, fewer conceded, and a team that looks like a European contender again.
What’s the historical significance of this result for Marseille?
Marseille’s last Ligue 1 title came in 2009–10. Since then, they’ve finished no higher than second—always behind PSG. A 5-1 win over Nice, their closest regional rival, on the road is their largest away victory in Ligue 1 since 2016. If they hold this form, it could be the catalyst for their first league crown in 15 years.
