Appraisal

Pre-season, with a fine-tooth comb

To prepare for the 2017-18 season, the Aiglons faced 5 opposition from abroad (FC Stade Nyonnais, Servette Genève, La Gantoise, Slavia Prague and Borussia Mönchengladbach), taking home 4 wins and 1 defeat. A look over the figures from their 5 friendly outings, just days ahead of the clash against Ajax in the Q3 of the Champions League (Wednesday at 8.45pm at the Allianz Riviera).

Prolific in each match

During their five encounters, the Red and Black managed to find the back of their opposition’s net in each of the games. With 13 goals, they averaged 2.6 goals per match.

More to see in the second-half

It’s during the second period that the side that finished third in Ligue 1 last season, was the most prolific, with 8 goals scored (compared to 5 in the first-half).

But it is also in the second 45 minutes that they conceded the majority of the goals (7 out of 8). A statistic that is largely due to the numerous changes that were made during the friendlies.

The forwards scored

The two highest scorers of last season, Mario Balotelli and Alassane Plea both scored two goals during pre-season. The goals scored by the number 14, both allowed the Gym to secure victory in the closing stages of the game (3-2 against La Gantoise, 2-1 against M'Gladbach). Bassem Srarfi, starting each game except against Prague, scored a brace in the first match against Nyon. Also on the scoresheet against the Swiss, Vincent Marcel made it two goals in pre-season during the match in Bavaria.

Olivier Boscagli (Slavia)Arnaud Souquet (La Gantoise)Adrien Tameze (Nyon)Vincent Koziello and Romain Perraud (Servette) also put the ball into the back of the net during pre-season.

 

Seri starts as he finished last season

In 3 matches, Mika Seri had the time to assist on two occasions. The Ivorian (10 assists in Ligue 1 last season) secured the most assists in pre-season, on a level with Arnaud Lusamba. Plea, Lees-Melou (M'Gladbach)Srarfi, Lusamba (La Gantoise), Mahou (Servette) as well as Walter and Burner (Nyon) also put assists to their names during the friendlies.

Game time in detail

Lucien Favre gave game time to 26 players during pre-season: Le Marchand (302’), Srarfi (296’), Dante, Benitez (270’), Koziello (266’), Souquet (263’), Lees-Melou (255’), Sarr (245’), Balotelli (231’), Eysseric (219’), Tameze (209’), Walter (202’), Dalbert (198’), Boscagli (193’), Lusamba (184’), Seri (178’), Burner (176’), Marcel (175’), Plea (157’),Cardinale (135’), Makengo (133’), Perraud (120’), Lloris, Mahou (90’),Clémentia (45'), Jallet (11’).

The friendly matches:

  • FC Stade Nyonnais 0-4 Nice
  • Nice 3-1 Servette Genève
  • La Gantoise 2-3 Nice
  • Slavia Prague 4-1 Nice
  • Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-2 Nice

F.H