A goalless draw at the Allianz Riviera, where the Gym faced Angers on Tuesday in Week 16 of Ligue 1 (0-0). The Niçois were unable to surf on the crest of a superb first half an hour, but in remaining solid, they secured a 7th consecutive match without defeat.   

Difficult reading. No goals, despite a series of chances for the home side in the first half, and a situation in which, even with the point gained, leaves a real feeling of frustration. Starting the match like lions, the Aiglons dictated the rhythm of the game, before easing off the accelerator, despite never giving up. They could have taken the lead early on if J.V. Makengo, who found himself alone just 6 metres out after a cross from Atal was poorly cleared by Traoré, had converted the first chance of the game. But the attacking midfielder, playing as the second forward in a new look 3-4-2-1, with Saint-Maximin on the left wing, found the gloves of Butelle (2’). Despite this, the men from the Côte pushed hard from the beginning of the game, building their play, often one-touch football, moving their opponents from right to left, and often finding an opening when they moved forward vertically. At the back, Dante dominated once more; in the middle, Cyprien confirmed his form; but up-front, Balotelli lacked efficacy.

The star lacked accuracy in his control (4’), was a bit short from a cross from Saint-Maximin (18’), a bit too long with his lob, after Cyprien had opened the game up (24’), and then pulled his effort wide (25’)...

In terms of chances, Saint-Maximin was denied by a strong piece of goalkeeping by Butelle 30 metres out after he had been played in by Cyprien after an Angers corner,(26’). After these chances, Angers loosened the home side’s grip and began to believe, driven by Flavien Tait with his delicious technique. Accurate, very difficult to mark due to his real intelligence, the man with most assists for SCO played in Bahoken beautifully on the 30 minute mark, but the former Aiglon opened his foot just too much (28’). Thankfully for the Gym who, had clearly dominated but then progressively dropped off before the break. 

The intensity remained in the dressing room, because the two sides came back out with much less gusto. Benitez dealt with a strike from Tait, and Butelle an effort Atal.

The Gym remained just as solid but a little less inspired, and SCO began to believe in their chances. More and more. But they didn’t show any additional danger. With half an hour to go, Patrick Vieira took things into his own hands, throwing on Ganago and Srarfi to replace Makengo and Balotelli. But the Red and Blacks lacked quality and didn’t trouble the visitors until stoppage time.  

The final change for the Aiglons was an enforced one, given that Dante, who had picked up an injury, came off with fifteen minutes to go. The Gym switched to a 4-3-3, but inspiration was lacking. When it came, from a cross sent in by Saint-Max', Pavlovic was quicker to it than Ganago (84'), then Butelle was shown a red card after handling the ball outside of the box. The final chance for the Niçois. But the series of set pieces at the end of the match wouldn’t change anything.  

Next up, a trip to the Louis-II on Friday.

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