Another victory for the Aiglons! Thanks to a sumptuous free-kick from Wylan Cyprien, they continue their good run in L1 (1-0). First of all, dominating the game, they were then called to defend well after the break, which gave them the opportunity to move forward with a win.

His last goal at the Allianz Riviera was a monstrous strike that flew into the back of the Verts’ net.  A sublime free-kick from 20 metres out, which Ruffier got a hand to but without being able to push it away, marked his return home. Wylan Cyprien, undoubtedly, found his garden by going through the big door which is reserved for artists. His first half was so good that you could feel his decisiveness was just around the corner. It came in the 22nd minute, which reminded all Niçois of the goal he scored at the Parc des Princes.

Starting the game in front of the defence and tasked with a “box to box” role in Lucien Favre’s 4-3-3, the former RC Lens captain made everything more simple, like in the good old days. In his wake, the Gym looked very good in the first half, before defending with determination in the second.

Before the hosts opened the scoring, St-Etienne, with the winter recruits (M’Vila, Ntep and Beric) showed good intentions and a real desire to play. Benitez saw a strike fly just over his bar in the opening minutes (2’), then strongly pushed away a volley from Ntep (18’), and the Aiglons began, bit by bit to get their game going. Moving the ball around. Something they struggled to do in the second period.

In the first 45 minutes, after the first quarter of an hour that was dominated by the Verts, Dante and his teammates put their feet on the ball. Made their opponent run, from right to left. This tired a side who are short of confidence.

In terms of chances, the Gym’s supporters didn’t have much to get them going apart from the goal from their number 25. A strike that flew over from Seri – at the end of a long period of possession - and an effort from Super Mario from 30 metres out from an impossible angle, which Ruffier was only too happy to see creep past his post - were the only chances that got the home fans’ hearts going. 

Resistance

A huge challenge from Dante to deny Cabella, who had made the most of a misplaced pass by Makengo (coming on to replace an injured Saint-Maximin) kept the lead for the men from the Côte. After the break, they started with a desire to put the game to bed quickly. Coming from the midfield, Patrick Burner ran superbly with the ball, took it past 4 opposition players and ended the move with a strike that was just turned over by Ruffier (48’).

The move got the fans going and confirmed that the young full-back continues to improve in every game he plays. Something that was also shown by a faultless defensive performance. His understanding with Srarfi - who replaced Plea before kick-off, struggling with his back - continued to be one of the positive elements of the Red and Black side. The Tunisian winger, after having taken it past Gabriel Silva, tried to find Ruffier’s net, but couldn’t find a way past Perrin’s head, just before the hour mark (55').

It was to be almost the last attacking move from the Azuréens. Apart from another effort from Srarfi which ended with a strike over the top, the home side were set out to defend in the final half an hour. Hamouma thought he had equalised but was, in the end, signalled offside (71'), Gasset threw on all of his attacking weapons (Hamouma, Bamba, Soderlund), but the home side wouldn’t be caught out.

Set-up around the Dante-Sarr combination, who were excellent in every area on Sunday, they were difficult to break down.

With 5 wins and 2 draws since the turning point against Toulouse, the Gym are now on level points with Nantes (5th in L1).

Now looking forward to the rest of the season with desire… 

C.D.

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