The Gym won by the smallest of margins against Amiens on Matchday 20 of L1 (1-0, goal from Lees-Melou). Despite being clunky at times, Lucien Favre’s side get the return leg of the season off on the right note, at home and maintain their good form in the league. The rest can wait: the necessary was done.

History won’t remember much from this first league game of 2018. “Only the 3 points”, you could be tempted to write. For this return to L1, the Gym seemed to be rather heavy legged. Lacking ideas, they were, however, able to do the most difficult thing: to score. They were then able to manage their lead and were a delight to watch in the final quarter of an hour, when Super Mario came on and brought fluidity to the encounter.

Before taking the lead, Lucien Favre’s side were relieved to see Konate’s first header boxed away by Benitez, after only 30 seconds of the game. The task could have been made so much more complicated from the get go, and luckily, the Argentine stopper proved his high levels of concentration…

Although the starting eleven only saw one change from the Monaco game (Marlon replaced Dante), the Aiglons were less effective than against their neighbour back in midweek. Less inspiration. Less drive. In the middle, the passing juddered slightly, which slowed down the rhythm of the side.

In terms of chances, they were rather lacking in the first 45 minutes. Lees-Melou let the ball go and Plea didn’t get enough into his shot (9’); Saint-Maximin cut back into the middle from the left and got two shots away one after the other – the first flew over the bar and the second was turned round the post by Bouet (9’ and 15’); Plea missed the target by pulling his shot wide of the goal (20’). In short, Nice barely troubled the visitors before the break. Amiens, who were set-up well in a solid 4-2-3-1, defended with rigour and made the most of every error from the home side and put them under pressure. They were well-lead by Kakuta who was inspired in their attacking phases.

The playmaker often troubled Tameze at the breakdown and moved with accuracy. In the 26th minute, he won the ball back from the former V.A. midfielder, perfectly played in Bourgaud, but he was unable to find a way past the rock between the Nice sticks. At the end of the first half, Moussa Konaté didn’t control well as he was through on goal, and the two sides went into the dressing room on level terms.

Lees-Melou rewarded

The Allianz expected more of its protégés. Rightfully. Lees-Melou, was played in well by Srarfi, broke into the box right at the start of the second half, but his strike was dealt with easily by the Amiens keeper. Just before the hour mark, Srarfi found Burner - the duo made up of the two youngsters was, in fact, the most interesting thing on the pitch - , and the shot from the full-back was almost turned into his own net by an Amiens defender. The ball, however, flew just past the post and the Gym supporters began to ask themselves what could allow their side to get the win.

With half an hour to go, Super Mario began his warm-up (to the delight of the home fans), but the answer finally came from Pierre Lees-Melou. After having missed a great opportunity just minutes before, the number 8 was rewarded for not letting his head drop. Making the most of some excellent work from Saint-Maximin, he broke into the Amiens box and struck with power. His strike was deflected by an opposition leg, hit the bar and then provided relief for all Niçois (1-0, 65'). 

Benitez was able to deal with a shot from Gakpé just after the goal, and the hardest thing seemed to be done.

The Azuréens were now playing with freedom and earned themselves a series of chances in the final fifteen minutes of the game. None of them would allow them to kill off the game, but the promoted side seemed to have the wind taken out of their sails after the first goal, and were unable to cause any problems for the Nice goal, apart from a smart volley from Bodmer which just missed the target (88').

With 3 days to go until the derby in Monaco, the Aiglons consolidated their 6th place, by putting an end to the run of two defeats (in the cup). The real positive from this evening.

C.D.

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