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An excellent team performance, in which the individuals shone. On Sunday, Le Gym produced an accomplished display all over the park to defeat Lyon 2-1 and claim a crucial three points. Back to winning ways, coach Vieira was full of praise for his charges in his post-match analyse.

A world-class Dolberg 

Before the match he spoke at the press conference about the goals he’d scored against Lyon for both Nice and former club Ajax. On Sunday, he struck again, leaving an indelible mark on the weekend’s round. Aiglon of the Match with a landslide victory (48.7%), Kasper Dolberg became Le Gym’s top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with eight goals.

His brace owes as much to the teamwork that proceeded them, as to his striking instinct. That instinct saw him stay on side before surging to open the scoring (1-0, 33’), before his acceleration and one-touch finish for the winner. “He’s a world-class player,” declared his coach. “You can see it in his runs, is first touch, how he gets in front of his man for crosses. We need to work hard to get the most out of him. He is a hard worker on the pitch. He got through a mountain of defence again today.”

"Exceptional" Boudaoui 

“He was exceptional.” That’s how Patrick Vieira simply summed up Hicham Boudaoui’s performance against Les Gones. On the right wing, the Algeria international provided the assist for the winner and was excellent throughout. When he was tackled, he just got straight back up and came again, dribbling, defending tackling… Against Lyon, he waged a fantastic battle with Maxwel Cornet, as neither gave the other any respite, in attack or defence.

“He doesn’t ration his efforts, he just gives everything. He was very impressive today in winning back possession, making high-intensity runs forward, positioning himself defensively. He is becoming a very important player. Honestly, I didn’t expect him to be at this level. I am pleasantly surprised by what he brings to the team and by his tactical intelligence.”

Alexis Claude-Maurice

Like his teammates, he worked tirelessly to get the precious win.

At the heart of many attacking moves, including the winning second goal, Alexis Claude-Maurice never shirked his responsibilities and was a constant presence in the construction for Les Rouge et Noir. “I thought you, the media, were a bit hard on him in recent matches. In terms of his work rate, his movement, his attacking first touches, he did it all. For the second goal, he is the one that creates the extra man at the start. He’s just lacking that little goal that will see his confidence grow, but he’s getting closer… I am very happy with his work on the pitch.” That little goal almost arrived in the 84th minute with a wonderful first touch and a shot that hit the Lyon post.

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