Following Le Gym’s first win in Europe this season at home against Hapoël Beer-Sheva (1-0), the supporters voted Youcef Atal as their Aiglon of the Match. With 39.6% of the vote, the Nice full-back beat Amine Gouiri (31%), Walter Benitez (16.8%) and Robson Bambu (12.6%) to the title.

After making his return from injury at Leverkusen (Thursday 22 October, 6-2 defeat) then featuring against Lille (Sunday 25 October, 1-1), Youcef Atal got his first start yesterday evening against Hapoël Beer-Sheva, his first start since the visit of PSG on 20 September (0-3).

He got an assist for Claude-Maurice at the BayArena, and the Algerian international once again showed his quality as he made his first start in European football. Dynamic and probing on his right wing, Atal added another assist to his name as he set Gouiri up for the only goal of the game after a smart piece of skill (22’).

During the second match of the Europa League, the former Paradou man crossed into the box on seven occasions during his 68 minute outing.

Gouiri in second ahead of Benitez and Bambu  

The man with the assist topped the vote and the goalscorer sits in second. Behind Atal, the supporters voted for Gouiri. After starting on the bench against LOSC, the forward was back in the starting eleven on Thursday. In the 22nd minute, the number 11 perfectly beat the defence to get on the end of Atal’s cross. After some smart control, the France youth international found the back of the net and scored his second goal in the competition, and his fifth in Rouge et Noir.

In third place, we find Walter Benitez. Like his two teammates, the final line of the Nice defence played his part in his side’s first European win of the season. In added time of both halves, the Argentinian stopper was called into action and dealt with each perfectly to ensure Le Gym maintained all three points.

Finally, Robson Bambu takes fourth place. On his fourth consecutive start and as part of a back three, the Brazilian looks to be getting better and better in each game.

Solid in his duels and reading the game well, the defender also started the move for the goal, as he intercepted a pass that allowed Atal to break and set up the only goal of the game.  

M.S.
Photos : A.D. et Iconsport