Having already been eliminated from the Europa League before the game kicked off, a youthful Gym side ended their 2020-21 European campaign with a defeat away to Hapoël Beer-Sheva (1-0).

In a slightly dead rubber, Adrian Ursea decided to give the Aiglons’ prospects some game time alongside a few experienced heads: Cardinale, Schneiderlin, Lopes and Claude-Maurice.

In a game in which their opponents were also eliminated before kick-off, Nice – who first set up in a 4-2-3-1 with Trouillet in the number 10 role, and then in a 4-3-3 formation in the second half – didn’t play badly at all. They pressed well in the first half an hour and installed a real speed to their play. Once they fell behind, everyone was thrown forward to restore both pride and a goal. But despite creating chances, the Aiglons only really created three chances. The two first ones – a strike from Ndoye, who was played through by Ben Seghir on the hour mark and a header from Bambu (80’) – went over. The final chance was Nice’s only shot on target a long ranger from Boudaoui saved by the Israeli keeper (85’).

Without being brilliant, Hapoël Beer-Sheva were clinical when they needed to be, at the beginning of the second half. After the break a very impressive Cardi’ first provided a miracle save at the near post from Hatuel’s strike but was then beaten from a cross deflected by Thuram, Hatuel then hammered home from inside the box (1-0, 72’).

Alexis Trouillet started his first professional game for the Aiglons, as did Théo Pionnier.

Just like his father youngster Noah Crétier made his first professional appearance.

Racine Coly was back in the starting eleven but was unfortunate to have to leave the pitch injured after half an hour. Coly fell awkwardly after an aerial dual. Hicham Mahou came on in his place and made a good impression.

The Aiglons are now looking forward to playing Stade Rennais this Sunday (kick off at 13:00)

The match in pictures:

Yoan Cardinale (26), captain in his 92nd professional game for the Gym

First start in the Aiglons’ first team for Alexis Trouillet (20 on December 23)…

... Also, a first start for Théo Pionnier (18), a product of the Nice academy

After falling awkwardly, Racine Coly was forced off injured in the 35’

The Senegal international was replaced by Hicham Mahou. A winger by trade, the 21 year old played as wing back

Rony Lopes played in the first half

Khephren Thuram started in the middle of the park

Morgan Schneiderlin took part in the first half

After coming on in the second half, Hicham Boudaoui brought some intensity to the rouge et noir play

The attacking midfielder Salim Ben Seghir (17) played the last 45 minutes

Alexis Claude-Maurice

First professional appearance for Noah Crétier

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