Leading the score after a well-controlled first half, the Gym could and should have won in Normandy but conceded a draw in the last second due to yet another defensive error.
There were only 30 seconds left to play. For more than ten minutes, the Aiglons were managing their lead, circulated the ball cleanly, and could have even sealed the match if not for Rémy Vercoutre’s numerous saves. After a difficult first ten minutes, they had taken control of the game, gained the lead through Lees-Melou, and resisted the Caen side’s all-out attacking style at the beginning of the second half. But then, an unnecessary loss of possession in Caen’s half, poor repositioning, and yet another cross from Malherbe was acrobatically converted by Ronny Rodelin. For the Aiglons, losing these two points at the end of additional time is hard to swallow. After the hard-fought victory against Dijon to stop the bleeding, it was long believed that the Red and Blacks were going to make a big impact in this 13th day and finally move into the top half of the table.
Back in the group, Mika Seri started on the bench. The match began with the Mendy – Tameze pair for Nice, organized in a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal, Lucien Favre maintained his trust in Walter Benitez. The first minutes set the tone for Caen’s intentions: direct play towards the big-bodied Normans. The Gym endured pressure, conceded numerous corners, but the Dante – Le Marchand duo was dominant in the air. Benitez was well-positioned on a close-range shot from Santini (9th minute), while his counterpart Vercoutre intervened on two rather weak shots from Lees-Melou (7th) and Plea (13th). As the clock ticked, Gym imposed its rhythm more, with Wesley Sneijder as the metronome. The Dutch international delivered a delightful through ball for Plea, who executed perfectly… but unfortunately saw his attempt bounce off the post (23rd minute).
After a tricky shot from Sneijder parried by Vercoutre (34th minute), the Gym capitalized on their strong moments on the scoreboard. Papy Mendy played a pass to the left for Lees-Melou, Plea slightly deflected it with his head. The former Dijon player faced Vercoutre and scored forcefully with his left foot, his second goal of the season (0-1, 40th minute).
The return from the locker room was reminiscent of the match’s start. Caen pressed harder, and the Gym struggled to get out of its last 30 meters. After a turnover by Souquet, Bazile faced Benitez, rounded the Argentine but, too far out, failed to straighten his shot (53rd minute). The Nice goalkeeper blocked Rodelin’s free-kick (57th minute), and was decisive in the 65th minute on Santini’s penalty (following Jallet’s handball in the area), which he managed to push away along his left post.
As the match neared its end and the hosts were physically flagging, the Gym, with Seri’s introduction and Sneijder’s mastery, relayed the ball better and launched precise counterattacks. But the Dutchman on a free-kick (84th minute), Lees-Melou (89th), and Plea (90+1) were denied by an imperious Rémy Vercoutre. Before that cruel 93rd minute…
WORDS, WORDS
LUCIEN FAVRE: “Our start was mixed. We gradually took control of the game. We had a lot of possession, circulated the ball well. We scored a goal, and it was not offside contrary to what I’ve heard. In the second half, we lost too many balls in the middle. We succumbed to their pressing, we need to reposition ourselves faster under such conditions. We lacked speed in execution at that moment. Caen plays 4-4-2 with a tall, physically strong team. But we’re not surprised by what they offered. They are a solid team. We have regrets, but it is what it is. What can you do? It bothers me, of course, it’s hard to take.”
DANTE: “There’s a big disappointment, especially since we were determined to take the 3 points today. We gave it all and missed some chances. To concede a goal like that… We’re very, very disappointed, but we shouldn’t hang our heads, continue to work, and analyze what we didn’t do well for future matches. Overall, we showed a very good spirit, we were compact and played well. We have rediscovered our gameplay, our aggressiveness. There are still many positive points we need to build upon.”
ADRIEN TAMEZE: “It’s tough, it feels like a loss. We managed to keep the lead for most of the match, with Walter (Benitez) stopping the penalty. It’s a shame to concede that goal in the 92nd minute. I felt good, we need to continue like this. But what stands out the most is this bitter draw,” continued the former Valenciennes player. “We know it’s never easy to come and play here. We must still tip our hats to the Caen team, who were very strong after the break, putting more physical pressure. We struggled more to bring the ball out. Now, we must look ahead.”
