Missing several players and faced with an extremely agressive Nantes side, the Aiglons found a way to hold on and face up to them so that they could continue their unbeaten run and take a 64th point back to the Côte d'Azur.

The Stade de la Beaujoire confirmed its status as a hostile stadium for the Aiglons, a side that hasn’t won there in Ligue 1 since 2004. Travelling to Loire-Atlantique missing three extra key members of the squad from the game against Caen (Baysse, Walter and Cyprien), the Gym expected to have a battle on their hands, “like in every match” as Lucien Favre enjoys repeating. From that point of view, the Swiss coach, who had organised his team in a 4-2-3-1 with Ricardo returning to the starting eleven on the right, was not disappointed.

The Nantes side ensured a rough reception for the Aiglons from the first seconds of the game, mixing commitment and an agressive press. Even though the Aiglons kept the ball,  as they are so used to doing, this was mainly to be done in their own half, or even in the 30m in front of their goal. The hosts cemented their domination through a shot from Thomasson, which was well dealt with by Cardinale (15’), before deservedly opening the scoring through Sala in the 22nd minute, well set-up on the penalty spot by Iloki. The Italo-Argentinian centre forward shot powerfully and Cardinale, despite getting a strong hand to the strike, could not manage to turn the ball around his post (1-0).

Nice react immediately

The Beaujoire seemed to open up but the Gym, who had been roughened up until that point, answered quickly. Jean Michaël Seri quickly got the sides back onto level terms following a smart move, started by Eysseric on the left and was then continued by Belhanda who, with a superb flick on the edge of the box, secured his fourth assist of the season, setting up his Ivorian teammate (1-1, 27’).

Balotelli, lacking supply until then, popped up with a strong strike from over 30m but found Dupé who was attentive and dealt with it easily. Nantes won several corners and free-kicks just before the break, but the previously unseen central defensive duo of Dante and Le Marchand held on.

After returning from the dressing rooms, Nice managed to increase their pressure. The Red and Blacks restarted more effectively than their opponents and could have taken advantage, particularly from a header from Dante which just flew over the bar (49’). Cardinale, however, was put under pressure by a relatively tame shot from Nakoulma (55’) which he pushed onto his bar. That was to be the last real task for the Nice keeper, who had a relatively quiet final half an hour, despite the territorial domination of the hosts. Only Sala, who got in behind the Nice defence but couldn’t find the target, came close to giving the opposition the lead once more.

The Gym managed to keep Nantes quiet in the second half, after the Nantais had started so well during the early stages of the game, but the Aiglons were unable to be sufficiently dangerous to be able to think about taking home the three points. They will therefore need to make do with a point, the 64th of the season, which strengthens their position in 3rd place in Ligue 1. They will be able to make the most of the international break to recharge their batteries before the next game against Bordeaux in 15 days at the Allianz Riviera.

A.D.

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