Nice 0 PSG 2

I felt honoured to join the Rusters for their annual pilgrimage to Nice and – after consulting the sporting calendar – thought I would go to Nice v PSG in the football and Toulon v Perpignan in the rugby.

PSG are by far the best team in France thanks to their super-wealthy Gulf owners.

They can can and do buy the best like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and keeper Donnarumma – all of whom played last night.

Nice field a few players who have played in the Premiership – like Aaron Ramsey and Pepe formerly of Arsenal, Kasper Schmeichel – once of Leicester – and, on the bench, Ross Barkley.

From the first 10 minutes, when PSG ‘s possession football denied Nice the ball, the Paris outfit looked the superior side but Donnarumma was still called upon to make 3 acrobatic saves.

A Mbappé’s pass to the lurking Messi made for the first goal – the second, to seal the match, a Ramos header from a corner.

It was a great spectacle.

In the build-up Nice released an eagle, the symbol on their shirts and their nickname, a cheerleader conducted the chanting, finishing in their song Nissa è bella). Nice is beautiful and the team emerged to a packed Allianz Riviera stadium.

I certainly found myself on the “live spectating” side of the great Rust debate.

Our local friend Michel de Vacri had organised a car and driver as the match ended at 11-00pm and the driver was tremendously knowledgeable on football.

The only thing he got wrong was the prediction that Nice would win as the Parisien victory was comfortable.

PSG will stroll Ligue Une but yet to master the higher level of the Champions League. Bayern Munich won both legs of their quarters and the word is that PSG boss Christophe Galtier, who was at Nice, will get the sack.