Even though they were missing several key elements for the final game of the season, the Gym more than resisted against Lyon, to grab a draw with 3 goals each.

Although the result was of little importance given the gap between the two teams at kick-off, the Aiglons delivered a quality performance, filled with self-sacrifice, to finish the 2016/17 positively.

Lucien Favre’s side, set-up in a 3-5-2 as they did for the first part of the season, traded tit for tat with a full-strength Lyon side.  The elements, however, were not with the Gym, as OL quickly took the lead when a shot from Depay was deflected by Le Marchand and looped over Cardinale (1-0, 10’).

But the Gym remained loyal to their principles and quickly equalised through Anastasios Donis. The Greek striker was rewarded for some effective pressure he had put on Lyon’s goalkeeper Anthnoy Lopes, who was unable to clear effectively. Koziello intercepted and fooled the Lyon defence before passing into Donis who was able to score into the open goal (14’).

With little at stake, the first thirty minutes of the encounter were unbridled, with both sides creating multiple opportunities. Seri missed the target (24’) while Fekir (20’) and Lacazette (26’) were denied by Cardinale.

The rhythm dropped until the break, and the Gym were caught off-guard upon their return from the dressing rooms. Lacazette controlled well to trick the Nice defence and beat Cardinale (2-1, 48’).

Beaten by Marseille and Angers in their previous two games, the Red and Blacks didn’t want to end their marvellous season with a third consecutive defeat. After attempts from Burner (51’) and Dalbert (65’), Donis secured his first brace in Ligue 1, as he got on the end of a superb charge forward from the Brazilian Dalbert, who had left practically all of the Lyon defence in his wake (2-2, 69’).

A draw would have been an acceptable result for all. But the Lyonnais, more than 10 points behind the Gym in the table, had a lot of making up to do in front of their fans and pushed to get the winner. Perfectly set-up by Tolisso on the penalty spot (and slightly forgotten by the defence), Lacazette took the lead once more for OL and earned his 100th goal in Ligue 1 in what will be his final match in the colours of the club at which he has built his career (3-3, 78’). Trailing for the third time in the game, the Gym added some youth for the final moments of the game with the arrival of Mahou and Srarfi. And it is the Tunisian who was to be at the heart of the Aiglons’ equaliser when, in the dying embers of the match, he was brought down by Nkoulou in the box. Mika Seri, your Aiglon of the Year, converted his second penalty of the season and secured a symbolic point for OGC Nice who have provided us with such drama during the past 10 months (3-3, 94’).

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