Saint-Étienne 4-1 Nice

Le Gym beaten at the end of the training camp

On Friday, Le Gym fell to defeat against Saint-Etienne during their second friendly of the summer (4-1). 

Les Aiglons started the match with the foot on the accelerator, before their rhythm dropped and suffered a difficult start to the second half. Coach Vieira’s side then got back into shape for the end of the encounter. 

Fresh from the get go (despite a tough week of work in Divonne, which took its toll as the minutes went by) and more agressive, Patrick Vieira’s side set the tempo for the first half an hour, causing problems for Les Verts, in part thanks to the duo on the right wing of Atal-Boudaoui.

This domination materialised with an opener. After some good pressing, Gouiri played the ball to Thuram. Starting at number 8 at kick-off (see below), the midfielder used Dolberg, who found Boudaoui first time on the right wing. The Algerian international played a beautiful ball into Thuram, who finished without nerves to score his first goal for Nice (1-0, 17’). 

After a good start, the game turned on its head and it was ASSE putting the pressure on Les Rouge et Noir, with a high midfield. This period of domination for the home side paid off and they picked up the equaliser just before the break, when Krasso popped up at the back post from a corner (1-1, 42’).

Before the break, Bouanga hit the bar and Gouiri had his own chance but couldn’t find the target.

Les Azuréens were caught out at the very start of the second half, and then went through a difficult quarter of an hour. Les Stéphanois won the ball high up the pitch, Khazri found Abi, who doubled the hosts’ lead (2-1, 48'). In the minutes that followed, Maçon (52') and Abi (56') extended the lead.

After this wave of home domination, Coach Vieira made several changes and the men from the Côte could breathe a little. They kept the ball, created an excellent chance that Brazão, who was unmarked in the box, couldn’t finish, but Les Niçois just couldn’t find a goal to reduce the lead.

After a week of hard work, they will head back to Nice, with their focus turned to the challenges that await them as they continue their pre-season.

Patrick Vieira’s choices

First half

Les Aiglons attacked the encounter in a 4-3-3. In front of Walter Benitez, it was a 100% Brazilian central defensive duo: Bambu – Dante.

Atal was on the right of the back four, with Kamara on the left.

In midfield, Danilo played in front of the back four and was flanked by Lees-Melou and Thuram.

Gouiri was on the left of the attack, with Boudaoui on the right and Dolberg through the middle.

Second half 

Against an entirely changed side, Patrick Vieira made four changes at the break. Burner, Hamache, Makengo and Brazão replaced Atal, Kamara, Danilo and Dolberg. 

Tactically, Thuram dropped deeper to play in front of the defence and Gouiri took his place at the tip. Makengo played through the middle and Brazao on the left wing. 

Before the hour mark, Boulhendi came on for Benitez, Trouillet replaced Lees-Melou and Pelmard was on for Bambu.

Finally, Sakho came on for Boudaoui with twenty minutes to go.

Burner picked up a knock and Nice would finish the match with ten men for the final quarter of an hour. 

The 11 that ended the match: 
Boulhendi - Burner, Pelmard, Dante (cap), Hamache - Makengo, Thuram, Trouillet - Sacko, Gouiri, Brazão.

Saint-Etienne, Geoffroy-Guichard,
AS Saint-Etienne 4-1 OGC Nice (1-1 at half-time)

Friendly 2 - 10/07/2020

Behind closed doors

Referee: Olivier Thual

Goals: Krasso (42'), Abi (48', 56'), Maçon (52') for Saint-Etienne; Thuram (17') for Nice

AS Saint-Etienne (starting 11): Moulin - Debuchy (cap), Fofana, Kolodziejczak, Silva - Camara, M'Vila - Nordin, Boudebouz, Bouanga - Krasso.

Second half: Bajic, Maçon, Karamoko, Tshibuabua, Sissoko, Gourna, Diousse, Khazri, Hamouma (cap), Rivera, Abi.

OGC Nice: Benitez (Boulhendi 57') - Atal (Burner 46'), Bambu (Pelmard 56'), Dante (cap), Kamara (Hamache 46') - Thuram, Danilo (Makengo 46'), Lees-Melou  (Trouillet 57')- Boudaoui (Sacko 68'), Dolberg (Brazão 46'), Gouiri.