On Tuesday, a very young Gym side lost 0-1 to Brighton (0-1), during a friendly held at the club's training complex. Mario Balotelli and Christophe Jallet came on in the second half.

Applied and committed, the two sides didn't lose sight of the only goal of the afternoon: to work. In intense heat (more than 35°), it was the English side who looked the most dangerous at the start of the game, with their quick, direct syle, adhering to the British tradition. From the get go, Cardi’ stopped an effort from Solly, before Andone struck over the Gym's bar.

After this quick start, the Aiglons calmly took control of the first half. Set-up in their classic 4-3-3, Patrick Vieira's 11 put their feet on the ball, in front of several members of the first team squad who had been rested and were stood on the balcony of the training complex.

Les joueurs laissés au repos suivent la rencontre depuis la terrasse du centre d’entraînement#OGCNBHAFC pic.twitter.com/CZ4OvbnB85

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) 31 juillet 2018

Always looking to play it short and switching the play, Gautier Lloris (captain at kick-off) and his teammates imposed their rhythm. Just as he used to doing, Allan Saint-Maximin sent his direct opponent into a spin. From a set-piece, he got the better Schelotto, a way of marking his territory. The winger, who started on the left – leaving the right wing to Sacko -, came in off of the touchline to attack the box in the 10th minute, but his effort didn't find the target. At the end of the half, he once again showed the defender what he is made of and found Le Bihan. Determined and aggressive for his return to the starting 11, the number 10 beat his bodyguard, with a beautiful dummy in the box, but lifted his strike over the bar. Just before this, his free-kick only just flew past Ryan's right-hand post…

Supported by an active midfield, driven by a very strong Makengo, the home side only struggled on one occasion before the break, when there was a mix-up at the back and Jahanbakhsh found himself through on goal. But a vigilant Cardi' was there to keep the scores on level terms.

First minutes for Jallet and Balotelli

The second half started in a different manner, given that the Seagulls dominated the proceedings. More aggressive at the breakdown and more accurate in their passing, Brighton didn't allow the Aiglons to breathe, and created a series of chances. Cardinale delayed the inevitable (a save in the 49th minute), Burner cleared a header from a corner off of the line and Clémentia pulled off an excellent stop to deny a strike from Propper...

Tout juste entré en jeu, Clémentia s’est illustré avec une belle parade #OGCNBHAFC - (70’) pic.twitter.com/NbrD7zhU1v

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) 31 juillet 2018

Brighton then deservedly opened the scoring. From a cross, Propper found Gyokores who left Clémentia with no chance.

Coach Vieira made changes as the game progressed, with Christophe Jallet playing his first minutes of the summer, in the same way as Mario Balotelli.

Entrée en jeu de @FinallyMario à la place de Vincent Marcel, tandis qu’Arnaud Souquet remplace Gautier Lloris.#OGCNBHAFC - (75’) pic.twitter.com/KwpyO22c4A

— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) 31 juillet 2018

The Aiglons created a good chance at the end of the game, when Diaby-Fadiga did well down the left, before finding Srarfi, who saw his strike turned away by Button. From the second ball, Sylvestre could only find the keeper once more. The final whistle sounded.

After this good session, the Aiglons will be back in training on Wednesday, with training planned at 9am.

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