Four days after the draw at the Parc des Princes, OGC Nice were heavily beaten at home against RC Strasbourg on Sunday (0-3). Against the second best attack in the top flight, Le Gym conceded three goals, including two at the very end of the encounter as they looked to claw themselves back into the match. Les Aiglons missed the opportunity the climb back onto the podium at the end of Matchday 17 of Ligue 1.

LE GYM STILL ALIVE AT THE BREAK

RCSA showed their full attacking promise from the very get go and looked dangerous in the Nice half. Les Alsaciens stole the ball from the home side and moved it around smartly. Their domination began to pay off and they deservedly created the first real chance of the match, when Walter Benitez pushed away Ibrahima Sissoko's effort (9’). The Strasbourg storm followed with a series of chances for the visitors. Although Habib Diallo didn't manage to convert a long ball into the box (19’), Ludovic Ajorque made no mistake just moments later. After some triangle passing, the forward was played in behind the Nice defence and he came out on top of his duel with Benitez (21’, 0-1).

With a goal conceded, Nice grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck and started to move the ball about. The Strasbourg 5-3-2 stood strong, broke up the Nice attacks, but continuously gave the ball away and allowed Les Rouge et Noir to create chances. From one of these, Calvin Stengs and Jordan Lotomba combined well down the right before finding Justin Kluivert who was denied by the defence. As they continued to push, Le Gym left spaces and Strasbourg thought they had taken advantage of them when Ajorque played the ball in for Diallo. The latter fell to the floor in the box after some contact with Jean-Clair Todibo. After consulting with VAR, Mr Pignard overturned his original decision to give the away side a penalty. At the end of the first half, OGC Nice created their best chance of the match. On the break, Justin Kluivert played an excellent ball into Andy Delort. The number 7 chose to chip into the back of the net, but his effort was easily read by Matz Sels (41’).

STRASBOURG MAKE THINGS WORSE AT THE END OF THE MATCH

After the break, Christophe Galtier sent on Dante and Youcef Atal for the second half. The impact was immediate, Le Gym played higher up the pitch and the Algerian brought movement to the wings. But as in the first half, Nice's good intentions were denied by the organisation of the visitors. On the hour mark, Kasper Dolberg managed to create danger in between the Strasbourg defence. After beating his man, he struck with power and called Sels into action (61'). The first shot on target of the second half. With 20 minutes to go, Gouiri came on as the rhythm stepped up a notch, before an injury to Bard forced Coach Galtier to change things at the back (64'). From a corner, Dolberg won his header at the near post, but his effort was turned over the bar by the defence (76'). The final minutes of the match were dominated by the Niçois and they continued to push as they looked to get back on level terms. Gouiri was denied by some smart defending as he looked to pull the trigger (80') while Sels made a smart save to prevent Atal from getting onto the scoresheet (83'). Between the two efforts, Strasbourg took full advantage of the spaces at the back, in order to get a second as Diallo turned home following a move down the right (81', 0-2). Two minutes later, Thomasson delivered the hammer blow as he chipped the ball over Benitez and into the back of the net (83', 0-3).

AIGLON OF THE MATCH

THE NEXT MATCH

After an intense week with three matches, Les Aiglons will have seven days to prepare for their trip to Stade Rennais, who currently sit in second in Ligue 1. The match is scheduled for Sunday 12 December (3pm).

LEAGUE TABLE