At the end of a well-managed performance, the Gym secured victory in its first real test of pre-season against K.A.A Gent (2-3).

Following 2 victories over teams from the 3rd (Nyon) and 2nd (Servette) divisions in Switzerland, the Aiglons came up against a side of their own calibre on Thursday. On the podium of the Jupiler League last season, Gent were the ideal opponent, just 15 days ahead of the Q3 of the Champions League.

The Aiglons took the game by the scruff of the neck straight from kick-off. Lined-up in a 4-2-3-1, with Koziello and Seri in front of the back four, the Red and Blacks first made their opponent run, whilst Srarfi, Lees-Melou and Balotelli were tasked with setting the game on fire.

From the 2nd minute of the game, Balotelli fixed the tone, forcing Kalinic to dive low to his right. He pushed the ball out to Srarfi, who shot from point blank, but the Tunisian was denied by the Croatian keeper.

The Gym control, Gent open the scoring

Flocking to the stadium in numbers, the crowd had to wait until the 10th minute to see their side mount their first attack, with a long-range effort from Dejaegere, which was dealt with well by Benitez. However, it was to be Gent who would open the scoring. Ideally set-up on the edge, Verstraete converted with the inside of his foot, against the run of play.

In an involved match, which was only a friendly by name, the Gent players picked up their pressing. In an intensity similar to that of those potential European oppositions that await, Lucie Favre’s side tried to come out cleanly with the ball, and they head two chances one after the other from Balotelli, and then Srarfi on the 30 minute mark.

Balotelli gets it back on level terms

They were rewarded for their efforts in the 41st minute, when Seri played in Super Mario in front of goal. The Italian took the gift with the outside of his boot and the sides were back on level terms before the break.

An assist on his return to the side, Seri was the only player to be replaced at half-time (by Tameze). In an unchanged fashion, the Red and Blacks attacked the second period in the same way as they finished the first. After two chances for Eysseric (48’) and Lees-Melou (49’), Balotelli found Srarfi perfectly placed deep in the opposition’s half. In a shooting  position, the number 11 smartly played in Souquet, who shot powerfully. The full-back gave his side the lead, from point blank range (53’).

With Souquet’s legs moving well, he crossed beautifully to Lees-Melou, but he couldn’t make clean contact with the ball (62’). Then Srarfi had a good chance but pulled his attempt wide of the target (64’). However, it was once again, just when it was least expected that the Belgians struck back: as Simon slid the ball under Benitez’s legs (66’).

Plea marks his return

The game naturally lost its fluidity after the numerous changes that Lucien Favre made (only Dante and Benitez played the full game). The Belgian crowd - who notably gave Mario Balotelli a warm reception as he left the pitch - encouraged their side to push on for the win in the closing stages of the game. But it was to be the team that finished 3rd in Ligue 1 last season, that would go on to earn the win, thanks to Plea. Set-up deep in the opposition’s half by Lusamba, the number 14 scored his first goal of pre-season, with his left foot.

Thanks to this late goal, which rewarded a solid performance on the whole, the Niçois ensured their 3rd win in as many friendly matches. The Gym - who will discover their opponent on Friday from midday - will continue the return to fitness before the Q3 in Prague against Slavia (Sunday 16 July) then in Bavaria against Mönchengladbach (Thursday 20).

From Gent, FH.

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