OGC Nice faced Genoa on Friday in a friendly. Thanks to a first-half brace from Kévin Carlos and a late goal from Jonathan Clauss, Les Aiglons wrapped up a solid training session with a 3-2 victory.

Maintaining rhythm for some. Regaining it for others. Fine-tuning connections and working hard for 90 minutes against a solid Serie A side led by former Gym coach Patrick Vieira. Those were some of the goals of this clash against the Ligurian neighbors, played during the international break. In that respect, Franck Haise, who earlier on Friday extended his contract with the club until 2029, and his side ticked several boxes and came away winners. It doesn’t earn points, but it feels good, just a week before Ligue 1 returns against Nantes (MD4, Saturday, 13 September at 5pm).

FIRST FOR GOUVEIA, A BRACE FOR KÉVIN CARLOS

Les Aiglons set the tone right from the start, fielding a starting XI that featured Tiago Gouveia for the first time. The Benfica loanee played as left wing-back, just ahead of Melvin Bard, who shifted into the left centre-back role.

Several key returns added balance and stability. Dante retook his place at the heart of a three-man defence, flanked by Bard and Kojo Peprah Oppong. Jonathan Clauss made his return on the right, Morgan Sanson in midfield and Sofiane Diop as a false winger and true playmaker. It was Diop, drifting inside, who initiated the opening goal, sending the former Lens man down the wing. Clauss delivered a pinpoint cross, Kévin Carlos leapt and Le Gym quickly took the lead with a textbook move (1-0, 13’).

Riding the momentum, Les Aiglons, spurred on by the lively Jérémie Boga, created several chances but couldn’t beat Siegrist. Boga saw a strike saved, while Gouveia cut inside and shot twice over the bar. Denied once more in the 32nd minute after a move sparked by Dante and polished by Diop, Kévin Carlos made no mistake just before half-time, heading home powerfully from close range. The assist came from Morgan Sanson, who showed precision in the final third.

Nice went into the break with a deserved two-goal cushion, though not without scares. Maxime Dupé pulled off a superb reflex save (19’) and Patrizio Masini struck the post after a poorly defended free kick (27’).

CLAUSS DECISIVE, NDOMBÉLÉ RETURNS

What had been just a warning before the break turned into an equaliser after it. Le Gym lacked sharpness atfter the restart, missing the chance to seal the game. Gouveia burst forward and squared for Nguene (who had come on for Kévin Carlos) who fired wide from inside the box. High-level football doesn’t forgive, even in a friendly.

In the final quarter-hour, as Franck Haise brought on young players, Genoa struck twice in five minutes, taking full advantage of their dominant spell through two former Ligue 1 players: Jean Onana headed home to reduce the deficit, before Ruslan Malinovskyi converted a penalty to level the match.

Les Aiglons reacted almost immediately after the equaliser, Gabin Bernardeau pressed high, winning the ball back near the Genoa box and Jonathan Clauss slotted in the winner.

Despite late Italian pressure, the scoreline remained unchanged. Also worth noting: alongside several academy players (see team sheet below), Tanguy Ndombele made his return to the pitch, playing around 20 minutes.

Les Aiglons will keep working over the coming week, aiming to be fully ready for a demanding run of domestic and European fixtures, starting with next Saturday’s clash against Nantes.

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