The Gym was defeated at home by a troubled Toulouse side. Without really managing to threaten the visitors…
If it sometimes appears so beautiful, it is surely because it can also be so cruel. Football played a nasty trick on the Niçois this Saturday, in an Allianz Riviera chilled by a Téfécé team that had the great merit of taking its chance when it arose, shortly after the hour mark. A chance boosted by impeccable discipline and a little bit of luck that favors the brave.
Yet the Gym showed determination but was penalized for its lack of efficiency. Against a visitor playing deep and dangerous on direct play, the Côte team kept the ball excessively (72% possession at halftime, 68% at the end). They tried to drag the Violets and their ultra-compact 4-3-3 across the width. Stretch them to pierce through. While the periods of possession sometimes seemed to lack rhythm, their effectiveness was felt on a few breakthroughs.
Positioned as the left winger in the local 4-3-3, J.V. Makengo showed as early as the 5th minute that he was on the field to make a difference. With a feline leap, the former Caen player went to “feast over” Michelin, but an impeccable Lafont tipped the ball over the bar (5’).
In response, the Haute-Garonne fullback brought J.V. down at the end of the half, as he attempted to challenge him in the box with the ball at his feet. To general surprise, the referee ordered a corner. Makengo was not rewarded for his activity, and this action symbolized one of the night’s bad turns.
Srarfi was not rewarded either. Yet, in line with his recent performances, the Tunisian winger put in a great effort to break through. Defensively diligent, he made the Allianz hum with a rush he is famous for at the 22’. Starting from the right wing, “his favorite spot,” the former Club Africain player leaned on Plea, penetrated the box, had a bit of luck regaining possession, delivered a sumptuous left-footed strike… but hit the post, which remains the best opportunity of the first 45 minutes.
Defensively, the Gym shivered on several occasions in the first half, especially after kickoff, when Gradel took advantage of a misunderstanding between Dante and Sarr to slip behind the defense. But the Ivorian missed the target (1’). The same happened with a volley assisted by Jean (7’), whose shot flew into the stands in the next action (8’).
Malang Sarr, right after the restart, took matters into his own hands. Confident and exemplary throughout the match, the central defender left his position to run the length of the field, demystify Sangaré, attack the box, and smash a left-footed shot which grazed Lafont’s post (55’).
As time ticked on, the local dominance did not diminish. On the contrary, it intensified. Toulouse turtled. Lost none of their coherence. Displayed a sturdy shell – despite the absence of the Diop – Jullien duo – and relied on Gradel’s talent to trouble the locals.
The strategy proved fruitful: the Ivorian scored a stunning right-footed goal, finding Benitez’s top corner (0-1 68’).
Hit hard, the Niçois nevertheless returned to the attack. Lucien Favre brought Sacko and Ganago in for Makengo and Mendy, then switched to a 4-4-2. Nothing worked, and the Gym could not rely on Super Mario’s genius (suspended) to bail them out this time.
Sarr and Tameze got in each other’s way in front of goal, on a long ball from Seri (83’), Ganago missed the target (87’) inside the box, and the trap closed.
The Niçois suffer a second consecutive loss. They’ll need to react next week in Dijon to get back on track in the championship, before focusing on the historic reception of Lokomotiv Moscow.
LUCIEN FAVRE’S REACTION
“We played the game. With 70% possession. We have a chance with Srarfi in the first half. There is likely a penalty on Makengo as well. We continued in the second half, but we weren’t sharp enough. Passing is good, but you need dribbling, driving force. We conceded a beautiful goal, let’s admit it, on Toulouse’s only chance. In this match, a 0-0 would have been good. We didn’t have enough chances to win. We didn’t do enough with the ball at our feet to disrupt a defense. We made quick passes, but it’s not always enough. The two who had opportunities were Bassem Srarfi on the right and JV Makengo on the left. We should have done more in the second half. Toulouse waited us out well with their 4-5-1.”
ADRIEN TAMEZE’S REACTION
“It’s tough to lose this match because we had possession all along. There are moments when we can’t connect in the last 30 meters, but we’ll get back to work to start winning points again. This year, it’s a very complicated championship, everything is tight, it’s not easy against anyone. It’s also a shame to have refereeing like this lately. We had a penalty at Monaco that wasn’t awarded, and another one tonight: it costs us points. But we are not going to panic; the house isn’t on fire, we still have time.”
JEAN-VICTOR MAKENGO’S REACTION
“It’s really tough to lose this match. We’re disappointed because I think we approached it the right way. It was tougher facing a well-organized team, we tried to push ourselves. We still had chances, but we conceded this quite exceptional goal, and it’s immediately more difficult. The foul on me? I think it was a penalty. I felt it, the tackle was on my leg and not on the ball. This defeat isn’t a halt, just a bit of a setback, we’re all here, aware of what needs to be done. We are already working, we’ll continue to work, hoping it pays off next weekend.”
