A good week on their pre-season trip came to a pleasant conclusion. In a Divonne Stadium “which has rarely welcomed so many people”, according to locals, the Gym secured a 3-1 victory over Servette in an applied game.

Like against Nyon, Lucien Favre decided to line-up a different side in each half. And like last Saturday, the squad made their presence known. In a 4-4-1-1 in both halves, the Gym fought against fatigue to earn their victory. A quick run-down of the match? Koziello opened the scoring in the 20th minute, from a deflected strike, then an equaliser for Servette just after the break, a free-kick from Super Mario took the lead and ansmart finish from Perraud, following work from Mahou, ensured the victory. Now for the markers. The path taken by the Aiglons during the game was filled with calmness. Even if, at the start of the game, they were surprised by the impact of the Grenat, who you could almost mistake for the same side as last year. The sun was beaming down (32° at kick-off), the legs were heavy, but their spirit allowed them to move forward without issue. The defence (Souquet, Dante, Le Marchand, Dalbert) continued to work on their reflexes, whilst Walter Benitez – starting instead of Yoan Cardinale, who picked up a shoulder injury during the week and was therefore rested - surveyed each time the team that finished 3rd in the Challenge League last year, troubled the red and black block. A good save with his feet, a safe stop: the Argentine did well and was assisted by his bar as Alphonse found Lungoyi in behind the defence after 15 minutes.

After having worked on several systems throughout the week, Lucien Favre decided to start with Rémi Walter on the left of a middle four, a little surprise tactic to try to add strength to the wing, whilst at the same time adding numbers to the middle to allow Dalbert to bomb on. On his return, Alassane Plea was mobile, strong, and made himself two good opportunities, without troubling the opposition. Pierre-Lees Melou started on the right, Vincent Marcel at 9 and half, Vincent Koziello orchestrated everything. All in all, the side from the first half did its job correctly.

It was imitated by the side that played in the second half, made up of 7 players who have graduated from the academy (Clémentia, Burner, Sarr, Lloris, Boscagli, Perraud, Mahou), and also Lusamba, Tameze, Srarfi and Balotelli. The Italian didn’t waste any time to leave his mark. The 1300 fans waiting to see him come off the bench, watched attentively and commented on his every move. Everybody was able to enjoy themselves on the hour mark. The centre forward hit a free-kick in total coolness. Gonzalez, who had just taken the place of Frick, sent off for an attack on Perraud – following which Lucien Favre successfully requested the referee to leave the Grenat with 11 men -, was left mesmerised. A young Servette didn’t give up though. Apart from the goal from Vitkieviez, they only had one real opportunity on goal, but Malang Sarr, captain, intervened with authority throwing himself in front of Delley.

Super Mario, again, saw his 40 metres lob, crash against the bar, his last effort of the game. Romain Perraud, starting on the right of the midfield, opened his foot to complete the scoring.

Simplicity and efficiency: the week’s trip ends on a positive note. On Saturday morning, the Aiglons will head for a warm-down at the golf de Divonne, before heading back to the motherland. With tired bodies but with the feeling of a job well done.

C.D.

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