Mohamed Abdelmonem returns after 484 days in Nice’s goalless draw with Lorient

Egypt international Mohamed Abdelmonem made his return for Nice after 484 days out as his side opened their French league campaign with a goalless draw against Lorient.

The defender came off the bench in the 88th minute, marking his first appearance for the club since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Paris Saint-Germain last season.

Abdelmonem had been absent from Nice’s matchday involvement for 484 days before being introduced late in the game. His return provides the clearest positive for the club from a match in which Nice controlled much of the possession but were unable to turn that dominance into a goal.

Nice held 60% of the ball compared with Lorient’s 40%, but their control did not produce enough clear opportunities. The home side attempted 14 shots during the match, with only one finding the target.

Lorient registered 10 attempts and tested the Nice goalkeeper five times, although neither side was able to break the deadlock across the 90 minutes.

The result gives both teams a point from their opening French league fixture. For Nice, Abdelmonem’s late appearance was the main development as the Egypt international began his comeback from a serious knee injury.

The defender’s involvement was limited to the final stages, but it represented his first competitive action for Nice since the injury suffered in last season’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain. After such a lengthy absence, his return to the pitch came as Nice completed a match in which they had the greater share of possession.

Nice will now prepare to face Paris in the second round of the league on Sunday. The fixture will give Abdelmonem and his team-mates another opportunity to build on the opening-day draw.

Lorient, meanwhile, will meet Troyes in the second round on Saturday. Their first match of the campaign ended without a goal despite the side producing five efforts on target.

The two clubs therefore begin the season level on points after a match in which Nice dictated the overall possession statistics, while Lorient created the more accurate shooting numbers. Abdelmonem’s return, however, offered a significant milestone for the Egyptian defender after more than a year away from the team.