By scoring two goals at the best moments of the game - just before and just after the break - and having put in a solid performance, the Gym secured its first points in L1 with style  (2-0). Without suffering any major fright.

“They will, of course, be fresher than us, but that will wear off as the game goes on.” At ease when faced with the press, Christophe Jallet couldn’t have provided a more accurate prediction of how the 3rd match of L1 would play out. The first period turned out exactly as the international full-back had predicted. A quick rundown of the events? The first 15 minutes were dominated by the Bretons, followed by total domination from the home side, capped off by the goal from Alassane Plea just before the break (45+1') and a second from Walter just after (47'). For his second goal of the season in L1, the number 14 waited for the opportune moment, made the most of a smart team move and an assist from Seri, held off the opposition with his “wings spread” and turned and shot. His strike, slightly deflected, tricked Johnsson and allowed the Aiglons to take the lead.

This allowed them to avoid the scenarios they had faced in their previous 2 outings in the league, when they faced a tight block, playing deep, trying to counter directly each time.

A retouched 11

3 days before the 2nd leg of the Champions League play-offs against Napoli, Lucien Favre proceeded to make several changes to his starting 11. His side began in a 4-4-2, Jallet started the match on the left of the defence, Tameze – who intercepted a ton of passes and was efficient in his own passing - played alongside Seri in front of the back-four, Walter started on the right, Lees-Melou on the left and Sneijder was alongside Plea. The result was convincing.

Because in the heat of summer, the local side progressively got going and it was a pleasure to see. At the tip of the midfield, the Dutch number 10 warmed-up and proved to be excellent with his use of the ball. At the back, Cardinale had a rather quiet evening, Dante was impeccable in his duals, Souquet and Jallet were serious and nimble offensively. In short, the 90 minutes went by without a hitch, and the Aiglons went about their work with a certain level of serenity. Apart from the goal from Plea, an off-target shot from Souquet, perfectly set-up by Tameze (9'); a blocked shot from Seri contré (20') and some smart link-up between Seri-Plea-Seri concluded by a shot from Lees-Melou which was pushed away by Johnsson, made up the action of the half.

Break and management

The second period started with the Gym looking inspired. After some superb work, Plea tried to slide the ball through the legs of Guingamp’s stopper who denied the forward. The ball fell to Lees-Melou in the box. The former-Dijonnais found Walter, who scored his first goal in Red and Black with his right foot… A precious goal. The goal that secured the victory.

In 5 minutes (without counting the break), Nice hit the visitors over the head with two hammer blows. The opposition couldn’t find a way back and could even have conceded another just before the hour-mark, as Plea was knocked off-balance in the box, but M. Millot was unmoved.

In making the task easier, Seri and his teammates ensured that the evening would be a good one for the supporters. The evening ended perfectly thanks to the addition of several little details. Yoan Cardinale took home his first "clean sheet" of the season thanks to an excellent save denying the only real EAG chance (a header from Diallo on 83'). Sneijder looked good and proved the value of his foot, so famous, and so delicious, he showed glimpses of brilliance (like his step-over after 60 minutes). Super Mario, made his return and picked up a good 30 minutes of “getting back into it” before the game against Napoli, and he showed his quality with a smart free-kick that was dealt with by Johnsson.

The yellow card for captain Dante - which will deny him from the clash against Monaco - was the only negative of the evening.

The Gym was looking to reassure itself before facing the neopolitan mountain. And that is exactly what they did.

They can now focus on one of the biggest fixture in the club’s history without pressure, without doubts and with a great objective: write one of the most beautiful chapter of its long history.

C.D.

---