The Gym did it again. With heart and courage, Patrick Vieira’s squad brought down Lyon for the second time this season, thanks to a penalty from Rémi Walter (1-0). What a delight! What a breath of fresh air! 

The features

A slap that came in the form of a prophesy. A second time this season, that was followed by the same fantastic reaction as we saw six months ago. Beaten 4-0 by Dijon before the first match, and then defeated by the same score by Lille last Friday, the Gym switched to combat mode in order to beat OL, with marvellous self-denial and determination. Supported by a superb Benitez and a solid defensive unit, made up of youngsters from the Academy, the Aiglons took down the side currently in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, like a pro. 

As you could have predicted before kick-off, it wasn’t going to be easy. Nothing was going to laid on a plate. Nice were made to battle. Resisting, holding on without breaking, clearing up the waves of chances and then, finally, taking its chance when it presented itself. This chance would come for the first time very early on in the fixture, after just 30 seconds, when Dante played Ganago in deep. The Cameroonian forward got away from his man, beat Denayer, and struck at the near post, but was denied by a focussed Lopes. The very same Ganago got in a muddle five minutes later, when he had a chance to finish after Walter won the ball back on the edge of the box, and tried with his left foot but with just too little power.

Once this strong start had past, the Aiglons put a lot of energy into defending, and did so brilliantly. In the first half, OL created some good chances, scored two goals that were both disallowed for offside (Traoré in the 15th minute; Fékir in the 18th). But when they showed real danger, the Gym’s defence made the difference.

Walter Benitez got down well to deny Traoré (25’), Dante and Hérelle put their bodies on the line to block efforts from Dembélé and Depay (25’). The Gym tried to keep the ball and managed to do so in their own half, but on the whole, lacked the depth and offensive presence to trouble Lyon. A Lyon side, who had hurt the home side down the wings, particularly the left wing, with an impressive duo of Depay and Mendy.

The post came to Benitez’s rescue on the hour mark, after a header from Dembélé, and you began to believe that the match was up for grabs. Yes, this little bit of luck was enough to turn the encounter on its head. Just minutes later, the Gym messed up a 3 on 2, but the move proved one thing: spaces were going to open up. There were going to be chances in the final third of the match. Myziane, touched by Dubois in the box, could have got a penalty at the start of the second half. But Ganago, who was knocked off balance by Ndombélé, did get one in the 67th minute. Mikael Lesage was assisted by VAR in coming to his decision, and Rémi Walter didn’t need anyone in order to convert from the spot. 

After this, the home side suffered, but the Argentinian wall was there to finish what he had started. He pushed away a strike from Memphis who found himself unmarked on the penalty spot (80') - a save that was worthy of a goal.

Coach Vieira’s choices

The Aiglons started the encounter in a 4-3-3. Without Atal, Makengo, Danilo (injured) and Lees-Melou (suspended), the back four was made up of Patrick Burner, Christophe Hérelle, Dante and Malang Sarr.

Dante was exemplary, as we have come to expect. Despite a small error at the start of the game, Hérelle never refused to battle and walked in the same direction as his captain. In the middle, Patrick Vieira started with the trio of Tameze – Cyprien – Walter in order to keep the ball and trouble the OL midfield: Aouar, Ndombele and Fékir.

The midfield did well, even though the way the Lyon captain kept the ball should be shown to any budding footballer. Depay who was supported by Ferland Mendy, also posed a constant threat.

Up-front, Myziane and Saint-Maximin started on the wings, whilst Ganago was through the middle.

After 60 minutes, Maxime Pélican replaced Myziane Maolida, and showed plenty of potential in his first 30 minutes in L1. Finally, the coach looked to solidify things in the final quarter of an hour as Christophe Jallet and Paul Wade took the places of Ignatius Ganago and Allan Saint-Maximin. 

The goal

68' Once again, his foot wouldn’t disappoint. Like his did against Auxerre, and against Reims, Rémi Walter buried the ball into the back of the net from 12 yards. Clinical. Unstoppable. 

Aiglon of the Match

C.D.

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