A second-half goal by former Chelsea misfit Baba Rahman ensured that Schalke 04 leave the French Riviera with all three points.
Clearly the dominating side from the start, the Germans lacked end product and once they went up they failed to put the game to bed on several occasions and almost risked to be cancelled out.
Only a brilliant save by Ralf Fahrmann on a potent strike by Mario Balotelli salvaged them the three points at the end.
For gaffer Lucien Favre's men this was a step back compared to last Saturday's victorious high-octane display against Marseille while Schalke have shown that they can win following their indifferent start to the Bundesliga season tainted by two defeats in their first two games.
Crucial to it were Nabil Bentaleb and Stambouli's tactical intelligence and dirty work in midfield as they impeded the French side to counter-attack.
Besides tonight a pedestrian and lazy Balotelli failed to repeat the feat of last weekend when he netted a brace.
The former Liverpool striker was never a threat and underwhelmed once more.
Source: transfermarketweb.com