Dominated by very aggressive Nantes players, the Aiglons salvaged a point thanks to Mika Seri (1-1). And they actually did well because they could have had a penalty called against them at the very end of the match.
The Stade de la Beaujoire confirmed its status as a hostile stadium for the Aiglons, who haven’t won there since 2004 in Ligue 1. Coming to Loire-Atlantique without three more regular starters since their last match against Caen (Baysse, Walter, and Cyprien), the Gym expected to have to fight, “like in every match,” as Lucien Favre likes to emphasize. From this perspective, the Swiss coach, who had organized his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ricardo returning as a starter on the right wing, should not have been disappointed.
The Nantes players delivered a fierce battle from the first seconds, mixing commitment and aggressive pressing. While the Aiglons maintained possession of the ball, as usual, it was in their own half, even within their 30 meters. The locals capitalized on their dominance with a shot from Thomasson, well repelled by Cardinale (15th minute), before logically opening the scoring through Sala in the 22nd minute, well served at the penalty spot by Iloki. The Italo-Argentinian striker struck forcefully, and Cardinale, despite a good attempt, could not sufficiently deflect the trajectory to preserve his goal (1-0).
La Beaujoire seemed relieved, but the Gym, rattled until then, reacted immediately. Jean Michaël Seri quickly brought the two teams level after a beautiful move initiated on the left by Eysseric and extended by Belhanda, who, with a superb back-heel at the edge of the area, delivered his fourth decisive assist of the season to his Ivorian teammate (1-1, 27th minute).
Balotelli, little served until that point, distinguished himself soon after with a powerful shot from over 30 meters, but Dupé was alert. Nantes secured many corners and free kicks as halftime approached, but the unprecedented defensive axis of Dante & Le Marchand held firm.
As soon as they returned from the locker room, Nice managed to increase their pressure. The Red and Black started better than their opponents and could have taken the lead, notably with a header by Dante that narrowly went over (49th minute). Though Cardinale had a scare with an initially harmless shot from Nakoulma (55th) that he tipped onto the top of his crossbar, the Nice goalkeeper was only minimally tested in the last half hour of the game, despite a territorial domination by the locals. Only Sala, slipping behind the Nice defense and failing to properly aim his lob, came close to restoring the advantage to his team.
The Gym managed to contain in the second half a Nantes team that shone at the start, but the Aiglons did not manage to be dangerous enough towards the end of the match to hope to return to the Côte d’Azur with a victory in their bags. They will therefore settle for another point, their 64th of the season, which consolidates their third place in Ligue 1 and their third place in the return matches. They can take advantage of the international break to recharge their batteries before the next match against Bordeaux in 15 days at the Allianz Riviera.
The stat: 7
This is the seventh consecutive match without defeat for the Gym. Another draw that distances them from the title but shows the solidity of the Aiglons.
Lucien Favre’s reaction
“It’s a good point. It was a very difficult match, as expected. Nantes is a team that plays very well with a lot of commitment and rhythm. They are a team with a lot of power up front, whether on the wings or in the center. They are very attacking, take depth well, and play quickly, with one-touch play. It was very difficult, especially at the beginning of the match. We controlled better afterward, with quite a bit of possession, but not as much as usual. We scored a superb goal for the equalizer, well constructed. After that, it was complicated, but we managed well. Before an international break, there’s always a bit of distraction among teams knowing they won’t have an official match for 15 days.”
Dante’s reaction
“It was a real battle. Nantes engaged intensely by pressing very high. We responded effectively. The championship continues. There are absentees at the moment, but we must continue to work and move forward. The important thing is to keep the same spirit. We continue to fight. The title? It’s difficult. We must first and foremost continue to work to give pleasure to our supporters.”
