Puel Ends Nice Losing Streak with Draw Against Strasbourg

Claude Puel, previously at Leicester, led Nice to a 1-1 result versus Strasbourg in Ligue 1 this Saturday, kicking off his second stint by halting a run of six straight league defeats.

Joaquin Panichelli, the Argentine forward, netted the opener for the away side at the Cote d'Azur venue within the opening 15 minutes.

Elye Wahi, a fresh arrival, secured the equaliser for Nice just over 10 minutes into the second half, after arriving on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt the previous Thursday.

Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg's manager, continues to be tipped for the Chelsea position, with his team sitting seventh and Nice holding 13th place.

The French manager Puel stepped in for Franck Haise on the French Riviera this Monday, as Nice fought to stay five points clear of the relegation playoff zone.

This 64-year-old previously managed Nice from 2012 to 2016, followed by two years with Leicester.

Puel inherits a team facing challenges both on the pitch and elsewhere, their sole victory since late October arrived in December via a French Cup win over second-division Saint-Etienne.

Back in November, the players, staff, and officials clashed with around 200 supporters outside the training ground, who vented frustration at the team following a 3-1 loss away to Lorient.

In the match at Allianz Riviera, Rosenior's side took the lead through Panichelli's strike in the 13th minute yet could not dominate the opening period fully.

During the break, Puel introduced 23-year-old Wahi as a substitute, and nine minutes afterwards, he levelled the score.

Wahi, once with Marseille, spurned three opportunities to win it for Nice, his closest effort denied by Strasbourg keeper Mike Penders.

Before that game, Pavel Sulc of the Czech Republic bagged a brace to help Lyon overcome Monaco 3-1, keeping their European qualification dreams alive for next term.

Upcoming, Lille in fourth welcome Rennes, the latter trailing by four points in the standings.