Stats / L1

Curtain

One goal scored, none conceded. On Saturday, the Gym (7th in L1) took home another three points as they beat Nîmes by the smallest of margins (1-0). A recurring theme this autumn, and a sign of changes. 

Less lyricism, more efficacy. At Nîmes, like at Bordeaux and against Amiens, the Aiglons were able to find the back of the net and then hold on. Without demonstrating total domination but “sticking to the basics”, as the saying goes, and showing, once again that a match that isn’t lost, is easier to win. At the Costières, well set-up in a 3-5-2 or a  4-3-3 and relying on an omnipresent Benitez*, the Gym kept a clean sheet for the third consecutive match in L1, something that hasn’t happened since January-February 2015, a period during which the Aiglons were unable to sting their opponents (and where they drew three games 0-0 on the trot, against Metz, Nantes and Lille). Better still, they showed their efficacy on top of their compactness, in order to take home a 3rd consecutive win - their best run in the top flight since November-December 2017 (4 wins, against Toulouse, Metz, Nantes and Bordeaux).

Solidity doesn’t guarantee everything, but it allows a team to do the necessary. A look at the figures illustrates just that: with 14 goals conceded in 13 games** (including 4 against Dijon), the Red and Blacks are the 5th most watertight side in L1 (behind Paris, Montpellier, Lille and Reims). 

The 6 wins at the start of this season have been secured with... a one goal lead, another symbol. “It’s good not to concede, but if we want to continue to move forward and to win matches, we will need to produce better performances”, warned Coach Vieira. “Results in games like the one at Nîmes never last long. You always need to continue to work, there are lots of things to improve.” 

C.D.

 

* 13 "clean sheets" in 41 fixtures in L1, including four this season.

**A total exclusively based on the league, to which you have to add 2 goals in the Coupe de la Ligue, against Auxerre (3-2), to give a complete overview