Reims 0-0 Nice

The Gym stop the losing run

This Sunday, OGC Nice managed to bring a point back from Reims in Matchday 13 of Ligue 1. (0-0)

Before kicking off, the Aiglons had set their minds on stopping the run of five straight defeats (all competitions). In extreme weather conditions due to a mixture of fog and rain, they managed to do so. A solid defensive performance enabled the Aiglons to keep a clean sheet, but they didn’t manage to get the three points. “It’s a good step in the right direction” said Morgan Schneiderlin after the game.

It was a tough game against a resilient Reims side who were in 18th position before the game. The Gym had control of the ball and created a few chances. Unfortunately, they didn’t have enough to turn a goalless draw into a fantastic victory.

The first of those chances came after a nice passage of play from Reine-Adelaïde whose fake shot got passed his man before being denied on the line by Abdelhamid (10’). Gouiri and Lopes tried their luck after the break, but their strikes lacked venom and were saved by Rajkovic.

On the other hand, Reims proved to be dangerous through set pieces but didn’t create any real chances apart from a late free kick from Berisha that just missed the target (87’).

In Adrian Ursea’s first game in charge of the Aiglons, he opted for a 3-4-3 formation with some changes to the starting eleven: Danilo was at the base of a diamond shaped defence with Daniliuc at right centre back and Boudaoui in the number six role, alongside captain Schneiderlin.

Both the Austrian and the Brazilian were very solid at the back and alongside an impressive Walter Benitez were key to the Aiglons keeping a clean sheet.

The Aiglons’ next game is an away trip to Beer-Sheva this Thursday in the final Europa League game of the season.

The game in pictures:

Tough weather conditions at the stade Auguste-Delaune with a mixture of fog and rain.

Amine Gouiri started up front.

Jeff Reine-Adelaïde created Nice’s best chance in the 10’. After controlling the ball well and a fake shot to get past his man his shot was blocked by Abdelhamid.

Flavius Daniliuc played on the right hand side of the back three and was in the box for the attacking set pieces.

Jordan Lotomba was solid defensively once more.

Hicham Boudaoui started in defensive midfield alongside Morgan Schneiderlin.

Hassane Kamara played against his old side Reims. He spent five seasons there.

Danilo played at the base of the rouge et noir defence.

Walter Benitez put in a solid performance.

First game as a manager for Adrian Ursea.

In Reims, stade Auguste-Delaune,
Stade de Reims 0-0 OGC Nice (0-0 at half time)

Matchday 13 of Ligue 1 - 06/12/2020

Behind closed doors

Referee : Stéphanie Frappart

Cards : Dia (60') for Reims ; Boudaoui (16'), Danilo (85') for Nice 

Stade de Reims : Rajkovic - Foket, Faes, Abdelhamid (cap), Konan - Berisha, Munetsi - Zeneli (Mbuku 66'), Cafaro (Touré 66'), Doumbia (Kutesa 66') - Dia (Sierhuis 83'). 

OGC Nice : Benitez - Lotomba (Pelmard 87'), Daniliuc, Danilo, Nsoki, Kamara (Coly 73') - Boudaoui (Thuram 74'), Schneiderlin (cap) - Lopes (Ndoye 55'), Gouiri, Reine-Adelaïde.