Brest 0-0 Nice

Le Gym take home a point

For the first time since 1 September (2-1 victory at Rennes), the Niçois picked up a point on the road. Saved on two occasions by the woodwork, Les Aiglons were also denied time after time by an impressive Larsonneur in goal for the home side.

The facts were simple but the task remained tough as the Niçois travelled to Brittany. One week after they bounced back at home against Metz (4-1), Les Aiglons needed to pick up points away from home.

But Vieira’s side, who came into this match on a run of six consecutive away defeats, faced a side that had only lost on one occasion at home this season.

Aware of what was at stake, the Niçois started their match perfectly, keeping hold of the ball and looking dangerous from the very get go. Early on, Ganago stood out and picked up a well-placed free-kick just seconds into the game (1'). At the second time of asking, Cyprien took it upon himself to give the opposition’s keeper a chance to warm up his gloves with an excellent strike on target (2').

After a positive start, the Niçois then came under pressure for the first time in the match. Alexandre Mendy missed his chance as he was up against Benitez (8’) then Charbonnier, from distance, found the Argentine’s gloves (10’).

The first half was largely dominated by the home side whose control of the game increased as the rain fell harder. Cardona was denied by an impeccable Benitez (25’). But, while Les Bretons looked more and more dangerous, their crosses didn’t find teammates and their efforts on goal missed the target.

That was until the 33rd minute when, after a misplaced pass, Dante brought down Charbonnier. The referee pointed to the spot. The SB29 forward, who decided to get justice himself, saw his powerful strike smash against the bar.

Before returning to the dressing room at the break, the visitors finally got back into the home side’s box, but Dolberg, who had been played in by Ounas, couldn’t quite get enough onto the ball to knock it past the onrushing Larsonneur (45’).

The match took off after the break

Les Brestois made a change at the break (Bain for Castelletto) and the rain ceased, providing better playing conditions for both sides.

The match therefore took on another dimension and really took off. A poor pass from Sarr forced Benitez into a delicate stop to deny Mendy (46’).

Then, Claude-Maurice travelled from deep and struck well at goal and was only denied by a smart save from the goalkeeper (51’). Chances rained down on the Brest goal, Lees-Melou provided the keeper with another chance to shine (52’) before Dante tried his luck from the corner that followed (53’).

In the minutes that followed, Mendy’s header slipped past the target (53’) before Claude-Maurice’s effort skimmed the post (55’).

With the Niçois dominating their opponent, Lees-Melou again curled an effort at goal after a smart run (64’), which Larsonneur turned away. The Brest keeper was the only person able to deny Nice the opener through Claude-Maurice (69’) then again after a great run from Ounas, who had been beautifully played in by Tameze (79').

The Niçois had missed their opportunity to take all three points back to the Côte d'Azur. They could have even gone home empty handed, but the bar came to the Walter Benitez’s rescue once more in the final moments of the game (90+3').

Coach Vieira’s choices:

Without Herelle, Pelmard and Atal, Coach Vieira had limited options going into this match in Brittany.

The Niçois started the game in a 4-2-3-1.

Benitez started in goal, behind a defensive quartet made up of Burner, Dante, Sarr and N’soki.

In midfield, Cyprien started alongside Lees-Melou once more.

Finally, the attack featured Ganago on the right, Claude-Maurice on the left, with Dolberg up-front, and Ounas in behind him.

In the 63rd minute, Vieira strengthened the midfield and brought on Tameze to replace Ganago. Before Myziane came on for Claude-Maurice in the 72nd minute. Thuram also came on in added time to replace Ounas.

 

Brest, Stade Francis-Le Blé,

Stade Brestois 29 OGC Nice (0-0 at half-time)

Matchday 18 of L1 - 14/12/2019

Referee: Frank Schneider

Yellow cards: Burner (30’), Dante (33’) for Nice; Diallo (1’), Castelletto (16’), Battocchio (63’) for Brest

OGC Nice: Benitez - Burner, Dante (cap), Sarr, Nsoki - Cyprien, Lees-Melou - Ounas (Thuram 90+1'), Dolberg, Ganago (Tameze 63’), Claude-Maurice (Myziane 72’). 

Stade Brestois: Larsonneur - Duverne, Castelletto (Bain 45’), Faussurier, Baal - Diallo, Battocchio, Lasne - Charbonnier (Autret 67'), Cardona, Mendy (Court 81').