The Gym were tricked by Angers during their final home match of the 2016/17 season (0-2). Frustrating for a magnificent group who were aiming to remain undefeated at home in the league.

A powerful defence and some supersonic forwards. Angers had what it takes to be the archetype   “tricky opponent" for a final home game of the season. What was at stake on the pitch being rather limited, it allowed the 32 246 fans present to fully enjoy themselves.

In a superb atmosphere, which of course gives the impression that the important things weren’t necessarily on the pitch, the Aiglons were true to themselves. Without several key players who were out injured (Ricardo, Eysseric, Le Bihan, Le Marchand, Obbadi, Cyprien, Plea...) or suspended (Dalbert), the 11 started in a 4-2-3-1, with Malang Sarr starting on the left of the defence, Vincent Marcel on the left of the forwards and Tassos Donis on the right.

In their preferred formation during this second half of the season, Nice kept possession and tried to knock their opponents off balance by playing a short passing game probing through the middle of the pitch. The domain of the small magicians (Seri-Koziello) and the superb Younes (at 10), was the source of all danger, which made the area as pleasant as it was anxious.

Very quickly, the Aiglons began to play. Very quickly, the SCO enjoyed playing on the counter. Arriving in Nice full of desire to enjoy themselves and to defend with vigour, Stephane Moulin’s side created numerous chances in the first-half. Pepe got free on the right and travelled towards the box and fired in, only for the effort to be dealt with by Cardinale (3'). Martinez headed off target (7'), Souquet put his body on the line, by blocking a shot from Sunu with his back (13'), as he found himself alone on the penalty spot; then he threw himself at Toko Ekambi (21'). Dangerous, Angers finally opened the scoring shortly after 30 minutes, after having wasted several chances in which they had the numerical advantage. After a fruitless first attempt in which Cardinale caught his header (19’), Cheick N'Doye made the most of a cross from Tait, and he dealt with the ball smartly to put the it into the back of the net.

This action only went to show that the Aiglons were not at full strength. Dominating the ball, they still managed to offer several chances which got their fans out of their seats, notably during 3 feverish minutes. Following a superb triangle with Balotelli-Belhanda-Seri, Tassos Donis won a corner. The Best African Player of L1, stepped up to the ball and upped the pressure. Always inspired - he planted the ball onto Mario’s head only for him to see Michel fly to stop it (27'). From the corner that followed, Donis made the most of the muddle to pull the trigger in the box, but N'Doye blocked it. Seri played in the 3rd attempt along the floor and, after some link-up with Belhanda, he hit the bar, which will go down as the most beautiful “non goal” of the season for Nice.

The legs were just a bit short

Shaken, but still alive, Dante and his teammates came back out of the dressing room with a desire to turn things around. After two efforts in the first-half, following a sublime back-heel from the elegant Vincent Marcel and some marvellous play from Seri – Super Mario found Michel’s gloves early on in the second period (55'), in a remake of the move that led to his goal against Lorient.

Sensing that the 37th match of the season was beginning to slip through their fingers, the Gym were rushing more and more as time went on. Arnaud Souquet was knocked off-balance by Bamba in a move that could have led to a penalty (64'). The same could be said 15 minutes before the end when Balotelli was touched by Bérigaud in the box. M. Lesage forgot his whistle in his pocket, but the Aiglons kept on pushing.

Lucien Favre threw on Walter and Srarfi to replace Koziello and Marcel. Angers braced themselves. Srarfi took advantage of a corner from Seri that was flicked on by Souquet to smash the ball towards the visitors’ goal in the final stages, but the Angers defence cleared it off the line. Angers put the game to bed when Toko Ekambi took advantage of a corner to double the score.

The party was spoilt for 94 minutes. But the party was magnificent nonetheless.

 

Thank you to the Gym!

C.D.

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