OGC Nice

The Round of 16 giant-killers who stopped PSG's domestic cup charge in 2022.

During the 2021–22 season, OGC Nice played a pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain's campaign, acting as the barrier that halted the champions' domestic cup run. While PSG entered the year as a 'dream team' featuring Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Donnarumma, their path to glory was interrupted in the Coupe de France. In this specific competition, Nice delivered a decisive knockout performance against the Parisians during the round of 16, ending PSG's hopes of adding another trophy to their collection alongside their Ligue 1 title.

Quick Facts

Season: 2021–22
Opponent: Nice

Lore & Background

Despite Paris Saint-Germain being widely characterized as a 'dream team' following a summer window that saw them acquire Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, and Georginio Wijnaldum while spending close to €100 million on other transfers, they could not overcome Nice in the domestic cup. The match took place in the round of 16, where Nice eliminated PSG from contention. This result stood in stark contrast to their league performance, as PSG successfully secured the Ligue 1 title back that same season, proving that while the 'dream team' conquered the league, they were unable to navigate past Nice in the cup.

Reader's Guide

For fans reviewing the 2021–22 season, the PSG vs. Nice match in the Coupe de France is the critical reference point for their cup performance. It serves as the specific instance where the 'dream team' failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in this tournament. Unlike their Champions League exit against Real Madrid, which involved a dramatic aggregate scoreline of 3–2 after surrendering a lead, the Nice match was a singular elimination event in the domestic cup that prevented PSG from winning the Coupe de France. This result highlighted that despite dominating the transfer market and securing the league title, they faced stiff resistance from Nice in knockout stages.