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On Saturday, Le Gym fell to defeat against Caen at the Allianz Riviera in Week 33 of Ligue 1 (0-1).

The features

A lack of accuracy in the final phase, a missed penalty, and a goal conceded from a corner: this is the bitter summary of Les Aiglons’ match against Caen. A real setback for Patrick Vieira’s side. A bad result. 

In not scoring, Le Gym left the door open to a goal from the Normands, who are now no longer in last place in L1 after Week 33. The goal came from a corner, like a guillotine with just fifteen minutes to go. Before that, Nice hadn’t pushed excessively but yet they had the chances to take the lead. They didn’t make the most of them.

After Sarr’s free-kick was blocked by Djiku’s arm, the Allianz thought that the hard part had been done, but Samba went on to save Rémi Walter’s penalty (27’) and started an evening where the stopper was unbeatable. 

In terms of chances, there wasn’t much to note in the first half, apart from the penalty, Lees-Melou’s strike into the side netting (6') and a huge opportunity right at the start of the game. The move started with Atal - who started on the left wing and caused the right back endless problems – cut inside, found Srarfi, who flicked on to Saint-Maximin but lacked accuracy after the number 7 then crossed into the box. 

Held back by Caen’s rhythm, Le Gym’s intensity dropped before the break and they were almost caught out by a header from Ninga, but his effort hit Benitez’s bar (40’). Benitez was equally happy to get down to deny the very same Ninga just before the half-time whistle (43’).

The second half got underway with a sumptuous pass from Dante in between the lines to find Srarfi. The Tunisian struck powerfully from 20 metres out, but Samba boxed away (49'). 20 minutes later, Les Aiglons had a numerical advantage and called Samba into action once more. This time a double save was needed to deny Saint-Maximin and then Lees-Melou. 

In the minutes that followed, Djiku opened the scoring after a corner was flicked on at the near post by Tchokounté (0-1, 74'). One of the visitor’s only chances earned them the victory. 

Despite Brazão and Jaziri coming on in the final stages of the game,  Le Gym couldn’t turn this one around.

Patrick Vieira’s choices

Le Gym started the match in a 4-3-3.

In front of Benitez, Patrick Vieira decided to keep the faith in his back four made up of Burner, Herelle, Dante and Sarr.

In the middle, Tameze started at number 6, alone in front of the defence. Lees-Melou and Walter played slightly further forward. 

Up-front, Srarfi started on the right, Atal on the left and Saint-Maximin through the middle. 

With around thirty minutes to go, Sacko replaced Srarfi to play in the middle, allowing Saint-Maximin to move out to the left and Atal to return to his right wing. 

Finally, the coach sent on two young attacking midfielders, Brazão and Jaziri, in the final quarter of an hour as Le Gym looked for the equaliser. The Tunisian showed dynamism and his volley at the end of the game called the Caen keeper into action once more, but Samba was able to punch away (87')

The goal

74' Djiku, with his knee. From a strong corner from the left, Tchokounté flicked on at the near post and the centre back showed quicker reactions than Sacko at the back post to secure the victory for his side. 

The league table 

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