Reims 1-1 Nice

The Gym never give up!

They never give up, even in the toughest moments. After the suspense of 9 minutes of stoppage time, the Aiglons take home a point from Reims, thanks to a penalty scored by Rémi Walter in the 99th minute (1-1). Their mental strength made the difference during Week 21 of Ligue 1.

The features 

A forgettable first half. A ball into feet. A powerful strike. But a refusal to accept defeat and a desire to get back into the game, along with a touch of luck, a disallowed goal for the opposition by VAR, a penalty given by the same system, and an incredible mentality. The famous "mentalita nissarda" was on show, a mentality that wins points, even when everything seems to be lost.

Quickly trailing, the Gym still had a chance at the break, and tried to push on in the second half, in a disorganised manner, but were still rewarded.

To find things to be satisfied about in the first 45 minutes is rather difficult, because Stade de Reims imposed a strong press and showed desire. There was a strike from Burner (38') or the light header from Dante (43'), if you want to dig down into the proceedings. But without digging, there were only really the Rémois. Set on their way by a goal from Rémi Oudin (see below), David Guion’s side caused endless problems for the Red and Blacks, who seemed to lack energy. They created a series of good opportunities (strikes off-target by Oudin and Kamara), but couldn’t manage to kill the game off. At the break, things hadn’t been going well, but not everything was lost.


The Aiglons seemed to be more concentrated as they returned from the dressing rooms. Something that allowed them to progressively get back into the game. Ganago didn’t manage to get on the end of Atal’s cross (50'), Benitez kept his side in the game as he smothered the ball at the feet of Chavarria (64'), but the Gym began to believe more and more strongly that there was something in this game for them. They put their feet on the ball, played slightly higher up the pitch, and took control. But during their best period of the game, they were so nearly given a knock out blow, as Chavarria ran in behind before playing into the path of Cafaro who converted (71'). But VAR was there to save the visitors and disallow the goal for an offside during the build-up.

Nice began to believe even more, even as the clock ran down. Ganago connected with a Cyprien corner at the near post, but Mendy was there to close the angle (75'). He was there once more to deny a long-range effort from Wylan in added time (91'). A series of corners for the Niçois brought the game close to its end, but nothing came of them. Reims kept a clean sheet until the 98th minute, when Kamara’s hand blocked an Atal header and won the Aiglons a penalty. Rémi Walter, who had come on just 5 minutes earlier, stepped up to his responsibilities and secured the equaliser (1-1), ensuring the Aiglons take home a precious point.

Coach Vieira’s choices

Like at Monaco, the Gym began the game in a 3-4-2-1, with Allan Saint-Maximin on his own up-front. At the back, Christophe Hérelle replaced Christophe Jallet, and made up the defensive trio with Dante and Malang Sarr. 

In the middle, Adrien Tameze and Wylan Cyprien formed the base of the midfield. Youcef Atal took up the right wing and Patrick Burner on the left; Danilo and JV Makengo played at 10. The Gym were in trouble in the first half an hour, so Patrick Vieira decided not to sit back and changed things. The coach sent on Ganago to replace Sarr, and returned to a 4-3-3, with the following line-up: 

Benitez - Atal, Hérelle, Dante (cap), Burner - Danilo, Cyprien, Tameze - Makengo, Ganago, Saint-Maximin. 

Shortly after the break, Eddy Sylvestre replaced JV Makengo in attacking midfield. Then Rémi Walter came on to replace Tameze with 5 minutes of normal time left to go. In a 4-3-3, Dante and co. were more balanced and progressively took control of the game, but were only able to find a conclusion to their good intentions at the very end of the evening. And a penalty that saved the day…

The goal

12' Direct play to open the scoring. And a cool head. Shortly before the 15 minute mark, Romao, in the centre circle, looked up and found the perfect zone, in behind the Nice defence. Cutting in from the right, Rémi Oudin brought it down perfectly, broke into the box and struck firmly at goal, finding a gap under Walter Benitez’s body. 

90+9' At the end of the night, there was no room for nerves. Rémi Walter had none. Youcef Atal won the penalty after his header was blocked by Camara’s hand. The number 6 spoke with Danilo, picked up the ball, struck firmly into the back of the net. With an incredible calmness.

C.D.

Reims, Stade Auguste-Delaune,

Stade de Reims 1-1 OGC Nice (1-0 at half-time)

Week 21 of L1 - 19/01/2018

11 176 spectators

Referee: Olivier Thual

Goals: Oudin (12') for Reims; Walter (90+9') for OGC Nice 

Yellow cards: Atal (81'), Tameze (82'), Dante (95') for Nice.

Stade de Reims: Mendy - Kamara, Abdelhamid, Cafaro (Ojo 83'), Foket - Engels, Romao (cap), Dingomé (Mbemba 75') - Chavalerin, Chavarria, Oudin (Dia 78').

OGC Nice: Benitez - Hérelle, Dante (cap), Sarr (Ganago 29') - Atal, Cyprien, Tameze (WAlter 87'), Burner - Danilo, Makengo (Sylvestre 66') - Saint-Maximin.