10 days after the end of the 2017-18 season and 70 days before the next campaign begins, OGCNICE.com offers you a chance to dive back, month by month, into the longest season in the Gym’s history. 

We begin back in July, when the Aiglons finished their preparation and played the first of their 53 official matches.

The story

A marathon begins, with a clear start line: the third qualifying round of the Champions League which would take place at the end of the month. The draw placed Ajax in the path of the Niçois. After Nyon (4-0), the Red and Blacks won their friendlies against Le Servette (1-3) and La Gantoise (2-3). They then fell to defeat against Slavia Prague (4-1) before returning to winning ways in Germany, against Gladbach (2-1).

The first friendly of the season, 1st July against Nyon (4-0)

On 26 July, the Allianz was sold out for the visit of the Dutch side. On the pitch, the game was a marvelous spectacle. Each team dominated a half each, Van de Beek scored after Super Mario’s opener, and the two sides left the field on level terms (1-1). Statistically, the Aiglons had a 1 in 3 chance of qualifying at the Amsterdam Arena. They would need to do so without their star striker who had suffered a slight strain during the first leg.

It would therefore take a real turn up for the books at one of the most recognizable stadia on the international scene.

The key moment: Nice 1-1 Ajax

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The extra details

For the first match in front of its fans, OGC Nice played in its white “away” kit. Not a commercial stunt, but an obligation. The referee and the delegate decided on the match morning of the game that the two side’s shirts(dark blue for Ajax and red/black for the Gym) were too similar. The 3rd qualifying round rules state that in that case, it is down to the home side to change colours, for logistical reasons.  

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