Nice 1-0 Amiens

The Gym continue

Without overly excelling, Nice secured their third success in the space of six days by beating Amiens on Saturday (1-0). An 800th top-flight victory in the club’s history allowed Patrick Vieira’s team to climb to ninth in the table.

Since the beginning of the season les Aiglons have made a habit of building from the back, creating chances and then often regretting their lack of efficiency. That’s a feeling that the Amiens players will surely have this evening when they think back on their start to this match.

Set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation – with Mathieu Bodmer supporting the two forwards – Christophe Pélissier’s men gave a fright or two to the home fans at the Allianz Riviera. It was former Nice player Bodmer who had the first chance when he tried to lob Walter Benitez after the goalkeeper miscued a clearance (6’). Saman Ghoddos was next, first after a good cross from Emil Krafth (15’) and then when trying his luck from distance (19’).

It was in this same manner that Nice got their first chances. A strong 30-metre shot from Wylan Cyprien (11’) was followed by another from Danilo Barbosa (20’) – this time from 25 metres out. The two efforts met the same fate – landing in the gloves of Amiens keeper Rėgis Gurtner – but they allowed the Aiglons to regain confidence and get a grip on the game.

A SUCCESSFUL RETURN HOME

After two more situations created by Allan Saint-Maximin (22’, 27’), it was his accomplice in attack - Myziane Maolida - who found a weak spot with success (39’) to finally put a smile on the Aiglons’ faces. Well set-up by Wylan Cyprien, Maolida got past Krafth before getting some help from the unfortunate Prince Gouano, who turned the home attacker’s cross into his own net (1-0, 39’).

Under-20 international Maolida – named Man of the Match by the supporters – was decisive for the second time this week, having got his first goal of the season in the Coupe de la Ligue win over Auxerre.

Gouano proved generous again when he tried to play his way out of trouble in the area, but Cyprien was denied by a good save from Gurtner (42’). Without being more dangerous than their opponents, however, les Niçois went into the dressing room with an essential lead.

During the second half, Dante and Co. did their utmost to defend well, first in a 4-3-3 system and then in a 5-3-2 formation following the introduction of Youcef Atal for Saint-Maximin on the hour mark.

Before being taken off, however, the Nice number seven had a huge opportunity after a great outside-of-the-foot pass from Mario Balotelli. But after successfully going around the keeper, ASM was denied by a clearance from Bakaye Disabby on the line - and Super Mario couldn’t fire the rebound on target from close range (49’).

Instead of driving home their advantage, Nice were able to maintain it – just like they did last week in Bordeaux (0-1).

Les Aiglons – who won for the fifth time in their last nine Ligue 1 matches – move up two places in the standings. Now ninth, next week they travel to face a Nîmes side that had an impressive win at Dijon this evening (0-4).

At the Alliancz Riviera in Nice,
OGC Nice 1-0 Amiens SC (1-0 at half-time)

Ligue 1 Matchday 12 – 03/11/2018

Attendance: 15, 259

Referee : Johan Hamel

Goals : Gouano (39', own goal) for Nice

Yellow cards : Dante (44')  for Nice.

OGC Nice : Benitez - Jallet, Hérelle, Dante, Sarr - Danilo, Tameze, Cyprien - Saint-Maximin (Atal 61'), Balotelli (Walter 81'), Myziane (Sacko 74').

Amiens SC : Gurtner - Krafth, Adenon, Gouano, Dibassy - Monconduit, Bodmer (Ganso 64'), Blin (Gnahore 64') - Otero, Ghoddos, Lefort.