What a come back, what heart, what guts! In a match full of action, the Gym had to force its own destiny, to come back from behind, then to secure the win thanks to an excellent goal from Lees-Melou (2-1). The win at Lyon has now been built upon, and the season is up and running.

It had been a long time since we had been entertained like that. For so many reasons. For the game, for justice, then, for the spirit that the Aiglons showed, in refusing to let their heads drop. For their desire to keep going after their bad run out in the last outing at the Allianz, and then finally, just because beating a European side is never nothing. Especially in the way that they did it.

A penalty save, another penalty ruled out, a goal against the run of play, a Saint-Maximin on fire, a battling equaliser, two sides fighting it out to try to get the winner… Yes, the most beautiful city in the world saw it all in this fifth game of the season. Stumbled, shouted, got back their breath and then finally, exalted, drunk with joy. Drunk on football and proud of the men that wore the colours of their city.

There was everything in this game. A intense first quarter of an hour, where the men from the Côte and their  5-3-2 (3-5-2 in attack) clearly dominated the visitors. They imposed a high rhythm on the game, on the front foot and pushed the men from Brittany back, creating clear-cut chances. A strike on the turn from Myziane in the box, after some smart work from Saint-Maximin, was pushed away by Koubek (3’); a run into the box by ASM was brought to an end by a foul from Mexer, Mr. Miguelorry remained unmoved but replays suggested it should have been a penalty (8’); a superb chest and a monstrous strike from Lees-Melou, which smashed against the bar (15’); an off-target header from Myziane, once again having been played in by ASM (16’)… In short, there was intensity, pressing and movement. 

And then there was a misunderstanding, a misplaced pass by Hérelle (who was agressive in his duels), a late leg from Tameze in the box, and this time the referee blew his whistle and there was penalty for Bourigeaud, like a bad smell. On fire, Walter Benitez pushed the penalty away and prevented his side from taking a hit against the run of the game (18’). All of that in less than 20 minutes.

The bad luck could have continued against the Aiglons. Their goalkeeper decided differently and kept them in the game. After this, the tactical battle got going. The Gym dropped slightly, Rennes took control of possession and looked to find gaps. Set up in a 4-2-3-1, Sabri Lamouchi’s men showed why they have had a good start to the season. With Benjamin André in the middle, both solid at the breakdown and effective when starting moves. The rhythm dropped progressively just before the break, Adrien Tameze, with an excellent piece of defending, prevented a Rennes counter attack and kept the scores on level terms - a fair reflection of an entertaining first half.

Atal and Saint-Max on fire

Saint-Maximin, raised the pressure right from the get-go in the second half. Taking two members of the opposition out of the game and then setting up Lees-Melou in the box, the winger could have changed the game for the umpteenth time. PLM flicked it on, but nobody could get on the end of it. The Aiglons had continued with the same intensity as they had shown in their strong period in the first. An intensity symbolised by their number 7, who was unplayable and caused problems across the pitch. Particularly in the 54th minute, when after another effective run, he planted the ball onto Lees-Melou’s head, but the number 8 couldn’t find the target with his effort.

As football is rarely forgiving - the Gym was punished for its lack of efficiency in the minutes that followed its strong start to the half. After an excellent touch out on the left, Del Castillo struck with his right and Malang Sarr’s (excellent throughout the encounter) chest sent the ball into the back of the net (0-1, 58'). Cruel, bitter. To give legs and to try to get back on level terms, Coach Vieira sent on Atal to replace Jallet for the final half an hour, and the Algerian international took no time in making his mark. With a sublime pass into space, he played Myziane in deep. The forward beat Koubek, shot at goal, but the keeper got back to turn the ball onto the post (68'). 

Atal, with immense energy, was flying down the wing once more and fell in the box. Mr Miguelgorry blew for a penalty, before changing his mind after using VAR. Although we are still none the wiser as to why he used it on this occasion and not earlier on in the encounter, when Saint-Max was taken out. The bitter taste was taking hold. The Gym doubled its efforts, lead by an energetic Atal. And the efforts would finally pay off. From an excellent bit of play, Cyprien found Coly. The Senegalese full-back crossed, Myziane conrolled and Saint-Maximin finished at Koubek’s near post (1-1, 78'). The Allianz was rocking. It almost erupted when Myziane, brought the ball down and struck just over the bar (86'), and then exploded when Lees-Melou, who was set up perfectly by Myziane (two assists), opened his foot from 18 metres out and found the back of the net  (2-1, 89'). 

Nothing else would happen, apart from the final whistle, at which point the joy was clear to see. Contagious and promising…

C.D.

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