Saint-Étienne vs Nice ends goalless: playoff thriller set for Nice return

An uneventful stalemate at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium saw Saint-Étienne and Nice settle for a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Ligue 1 relegation playoffs. The match lived up to its scoreless reputation, with both sides failing to convert their opportunities in a tightly contested encounter.

No breakthrough in a cagey clash

The match was a defensive masterclass, with neither team able to capitalize despite early chances. Saint-Étienne, the higher-placed side in Ligue 2, dominated possession but lacked the clinical edge, while Nice, fighting to avoid relegation, struggled to create meaningful chances.

The most notable attempts came from Clauss (25th minute), Davitashvili (58th minute), and Boakye (60th minute), but all were thwarted by resolute defending or off-target strikes. The intensity of the game never quite matched the atmosphere, as the passionate home crowd watched their team miss a golden chance to secure a psychological advantage.

Injury disrupts Nice’s ambitions

Nice’s hopes took an early blow when defender Bouaddi was forced off with a head injury, leaving them a player short and visibly unsettled. Despite their defensive resilience, they lacked the cutting edge to exploit Saint-Étienne’s vulnerabilities, particularly in midfield where control was hard to come by.

The goalless draw means all eyes now turn to the return leg at the Allianz Riviera on May 29. With automatic promotion spots already secured by Troyes and Le Mans, the outcome of this playoff will determine who joins them in Ligue 1 next season—or whether Nice can cling onto their top-flight status.