Making too many errors in the final pass and trailing for most of the second half, the Gym dug deep to stay in the game and earn a draw during Week 18 against Saint-Etienne (1-1). The Aiglons could have had more, but will take the point.

Everything was there, except for the finishing. The style, the energy, the chances. Nice added all of the ingredients to the mix, on the whole looked dominant over the visitors, but lacked accuracy with the final touch, which ended up holding the home side back throughout the match. But Nice could have lost everything, and a point is never something to turn down, especially against such a solid St-Etienne side.

A battle of sides at the top end of the table was promised. A battle at the top end of the table was delivered. In a 3-4-3 on one side, and 3-5-2 on the other, the Niçois and Stéphanois provided a very exciting first half to the game. In an Allianz Riviera filled with Christmas spirit, the tone of the game was set from the get go. With inspiration. Built upon the mobile Atal and the tireless duo of Cyprien – Lees-Melou in midfield.

From the start of the game, a long ball deep into the Nice half from Saliba found Monnet-Paquet in behind the red and black defence, but the forward (thankfully) was unable to control (3’). The very same Monnet-Paquet found the head of Beric, but Benitez was there to deny (8’); then Polomat lifted his strike over the top (11’), before the Niçois, who had been shaken in the first quarter of an hour of the game, took control of things. They added speed and precision to their passing, and often managed to find their Algerian international in excellent form. With fire in his legs, Atal squared up Polomat every time he touched the ball, adding agression into every run. On the other side, Saint-Maximin was equally lively, and every occasion that the home side found their wide men, danger filled the air. ASM found Tameze, whose header was caught by Ruffier (14’); cut in on his left and found the outside of the net (15’); picked up the ball after a corner was cleared, beat Diony, but once again, fell upon an excellent Ruffier (18’).

M’Vila, who was excellent in the first half, lost the ball on the half an hour mark, and the duo of Ganago – Tameze almost made the most of his error, but the midfielder’s effort flew over (28’).

Finally Atal, once again, left Polomat in his wake, broke into the box and tried his luck with his right. Ruffier flicked the ball onto his post and the two sides headed into the dressing rooms neck and neck. The Gym showed freshness, desire, 58% of the possession and 10 shots at the break. Les Verts showed experience and solidity. Nobody had forgotten to play. Every contact was filled with intensity. In short, it had been a great spectacle, despite the scoreline.

Cyprien’s superb free-kick was tipped away by Ruffier at the start of the second half. Walter Benitez dealt with Beric’s close range header (50'), and the tone was set once more. Every player gave their all. The visitors made the most of a lack of attention from the home side. Malang Sarr, who had been perfect until this point, let the ball slip out for a corner as he tried to clear. From the corner that followed, Selnaes picked up the ball on the edge of the box, struck towards goal and smashed against the post. Diony followed up and perfectly slotted home the rebound (0-1, 54').

After this, another fabulous piece of work from Atal allowed the full back to cross for Ganago, but the striker missed the target (55'). A huge chance - another one - before everything got slightly messy. Wanting to defend cleanly, Hérelle picked up a straight red card. And in the minutes that followed, it was Salibur’s turn to take an early bath, after receiving a second yellow (63'). 

At 10 against 10, spaces began to open up. Sainté looked to kill the game off, whilst the Gym wanted to get back into the game. A sort of K.O. feeling filled the Plaine du Var. Tactically, Rémi Walter, who was very tidy as he returned to the starting eleven, slipped into the left wing position for the final 30 minutes of the game.

Wylan Cyprien tried his luck with another sumptuous free-kick, with just a quarter of an hour to go. Seemingly unbeatable, Ruffier flew across his goal to push the ball away (73'). From the corner that followed, Malang Sarr’s effort flew over, but the Gym continued to push and push. Dante saw a header just creep over the bar, as the Allianz collectively held its breath (76'). 

But the Aiglons never dropped their heads and they would eventually be rewarded. It came as Allan Saint-Maximin made another incisive run into the box before being knocked off balance, and Wylan Cyprien superbly converted from 12 yards (1-1, 81'). 

After this, shackles were well and truly released. Benitez blocked magnificently with his arm to deny Nordin (85'). This was just before the chance of the match, which originated with Atal who perfectly found Lees-Melou just six metres out. Unmarked, the midfielder missed the target. The Gym, once again, lacked efficacy in the final pass, which would be their downfall at full-time.

They did, however, play, show character and refuse to accept defeat. Which secured them another point.

C.D.

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