Match report

Nice Defeats Zulte Waregem 3-1 in UEFA Europa League

Nice
Nice
3–1
FT
Zulte Waregem
Zulte Waregem
Nov 23, 2017

In a dominant performance, Nice defeated Zulte Waregem 3-1 in their UEFA Europa League match. Mario Balotelli scored twice for Nice, including a penalty, and Alassane Tameze sealed the win late in the game. Zulte Waregem managed to score through Benjamin Hamalainen, but it wasn't enough to overturn Nice's strong start and lead.

Key Facts

  • • Mario Balotelli scored both his goals in the 5th and 31st minutes.
  • • Balotelli netted a penalty in the 5th minute and another goal in the 31st.
  • • Benjamin Hamalainen scored for Zulte Waregem in the 81st minute.
  • • Alassane Tameze scored Nice's third goal in the 86th minute.
  • • Nice made two substitutions, with Tameze replacing Seri and Marlon replacing Balotelli.
  • • Zulte Waregem made three substitutions: De Pauw, Doumbia, and Saponjic came on.

Lineups

Nice

Formation: 4-2-2-2

Starting XI

  • 40 W. Benítez (G)
  • 24 C. Jallet (D)
  • 31 Dante (D)
  • 20 M. Le Marchand (D)
  • 2 A. Souquet (D)
  • 15 P. Burner (D)
  • 6 J. Seri (M)
  • 8 P. Lees Melou (M)
  • 26 V. Koziello (M)
  • 9 M. Balotelli (F)
  • 14 A. Pléa (F)

Substitutes

  • 5 A. Tameze
  • 22 A. Lusamba
  • 4 Marlon
  • 21 N. Mendy
  • 10 W. Sneijder
  • 30 Y. Cardinale
  • 18 R. Walter

Zulte Waregem

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 25 L. Bostyn (G)
  • 2 D. De fauw (D)
  • 31 B. Hamalainen (D)
  • 14 S. Walsh (D)
  • 3 M. Baudry (D)
  • 4 M. Heylen (D)
  • 11 N. De Pauw (F)
  • 43 S. Coopman (M)
  • 30 G. Kastanos (M)
  • 20 I. Doumbia (M)
  • 7 A. Leya (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 J. De Sart
  • 29 A. Cordaro
  • 33 I. Šaponjić
  • 27 P. De Smet
  • 61 J. De Roover
  • 63 S. Himpe
  • 24 N. Leali

Timeline

  1. Nice
    5' Nice Goal · Penalty
    M. Balotelli
  2. Nice
    31' Nice Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Balotelli · Assist: A. Plea
  3. Zulte Waregem
    46' Zulte Waregem subst · Substitution 1
    Off: G. Kastanos · On: J. De Sart
  4. Nice
    74' Nice subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Seri · On: A. Tameze
  5. Zulte Waregem
    78' Zulte Waregem subst · Substitution 2
    Off: N. De Pauw · On: A. Cordaro
  6. Zulte Waregem
    79' Zulte Waregem subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Idrissa Doumbia · On: I. Šaponjić
  7. Zulte Waregem
    81' Zulte Waregem Goal · Normal Goal
    B. Hamalainen
  8. Nice
    85' Nice subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Balotelli · On: Marlon
  9. Nice
    86' Nice Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Tameze · Assist: A. Lusamba

Match Stats

Stat Nice Zulte Waregem
Fouls 6 11
Pass Accuracy 92% 87%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards 0 0
Total Shots 9 12
Corners 3 3
Total Passes 772 479
Yellow Cards — —
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 4 5
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 61% 39%
Accurate Passes 712 416
Shots Inside Box 7 9
Saves 4 1
Shots Outside Box 2 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Balotelli's early penalty goal in the 5th minute set the tone for Nice's performance.
  • ▸ The second goal by Balotelli in the 31st minute solidified Nice's lead and put pressure on Zulte Waregem.
  • ▸ Zulte Waregem's goal by Hamalainen in the 81st minute sparked some hope but was quickly extinguished by Tameze's goal in the 86th minute.