After two completely different halves, Gym manages to earn a draw against a tough Nantes team. However, the Aiglons might have some regrets…
Riding on the back of five consecutive victories before heading to the Côte d’Azur, the Nantes team presented the face everyone feared: that of an extremely difficult opponent to handle. Present in the midfield (65% of duels won in the first half), sharp offensively, and solid defensively, Vahid Halilhodzic’s men dominated the first half.
As early as the 3rd minute of the game, a header from Diego Carlos sent shivers through the stadium. In the 12th minute, Fabio’s cross-shot found Coulibaly, all alone in the box. Fortunately, the Malian couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. Later, Moutoussamy stood out twice, first by shooting wide with his left foot (15th), then by cleverly deflecting the ball for Limbombé, who missed (25th).
In comparison, the Niçois displayed unusual nervousness. At the back, as seen in Dante’s back pass poorly interpreted by Benitez (14th), and up front, where offensive choices were rarely successful. It took until the 26th minute to see Nice’s first attempt in the match, but Dante headed the corner from Lees-Melou over the bar.
Three minutes later, the visitors were rewarded. Sharp to recover the ball in the box, after a challenge from Dante on Limbombé, the relentless Moutoussamy found the net (0-1, 29th). The Aiglons had a burst of pride in the following quarter-hour but lacked spontaneity (Le Bihan, 44th), while being thwarted by the experience—or craftiness—of central defenders Pallois (37th) and Diego Carlos (45th).
THE OTHER FACE OF GYM
Returning from the locker room, Gym came back with more intent. More incisive, the Aiglons found the equalizer from a set piece. Precisely, Pierre Lees-Melou sent an initial cross onto Dante’s head, slightly too short to place his header (50th). In a similar position on the left, PLM repeated the play 5 minutes later. Arriving like a bullet at the far post, Sarr converted the opportunity (1-1, 55th).
Just before the hour mark, both teams had chances to decide the match, each hitting the opponent’s post. Saint-Maximin was the first to hit woodwork. After a signature run, ASM shot powerfully, hitting just above ground level. Then Coulibaly followed suit, with an unbelievable miss, alone in front of the empty goal, after a tight cross from Limbombé.
Vieira’s men ramped up the pressure towards the end of the match, thanks in particular to the dynamic entries of Srarfi and Sacko. But the Nantes defense managed to hold firm each time. Until the last minute of injury time, with Youcef Atal’s breakthrough, earning a penalty. Unfortunately, the Algerian failed to convert the match-winning ball, stopped by Maxime Dupé, who anticipated the cross shot.
The Aiglons and the Canaris eventually shared the points, not without both having tried to take the lead. In this end of the season without stake, Gym still has two quite challenging matches: first, an away game against Saint-Étienne, then hosting their local rival Monaco for a derby that promises to be more fiery than ever.
PATRICK VIEIRA’S REACTION
We had a poor first half. It was very complicated for us. This Nantes team analyzed our game well and posed us a lot of problems. We just couldn’t play. It was much better in the second half. It wasn’t for lack of desire but due to the quality of Nantes’s organization that gave us trouble. Overall, the draw is deserved for both teams. We’re disappointed to miss this penalty that could have given us the three points, but we could also have lost this match. The penalty? Atal was designated to take it. The keeper read it well, but it could have been better executed. He was tired at the end of the match, another might have scored but I don’t hold it against him. Looking back on the penalties this season, we’ve missed a few that were important…
PIERRE LEES-MELOU’S REACTION
Tonight, we went through all the emotions. Our first half was completely missed: we were late on every duel, every ball. We deserved to concede that goal. At halftime, the coach really fired us up. We said we needed to be more assertive on the first and second balls, and play more simply, releasing the ball quicker. That’s what we applied, and it showed. We presented a whole different face in the second half. It’s a shame about the penalty at the end because we would have liked to win the match. Afterward, we could also have lost since they hit the post. It’s frustrating to share the points, especially at home and after this kind of match…
