Three days after qualifying for the group stage of the Conference League, the Gym did not have the legs to win and were beaten by OM in a sold-out Allianz Riviera (0-3). The three goals were scored in the first half.

Alexis Beka Beka's sumptuous extra-time goal against Maccabi Tel Aviv (2-0) sent the club through to the group stage of the Conference League. Three days later, the Aiglons appeared physically exhausted and lost 3-0 to OM in front of 31,418 spectators at the Allianz Riviera.

Five changes were made to Lucien Favre's starting line-up from the second leg three days ago. Without Lemina and Todibo (suspended), the Swiss coach lined up his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Nicolas Pepe and Mattia Viti making their first starts in the red and black shirt. Schmeichel, Lotomba, Dante (cap), Viti, Bard, Rosario, Beka Beka, Pepe, Ilie, Claude-Maurice and Delort started the game.

3 GOALS CONCEDED IN THE FIRST HALF

Alexis Claude-Maurice had the first chance of the match after a free-kick from Nicolas Pepe but the Frenchman's attempt went wide (6'). The Aiglons were quickly finding it difficult to deal with Marseille's fast-paced attacks, such as Dimitri Payet's low shot that went just wide of Kasper Schmeichel's goal (9'). Nice conceded a minute later. After a one-two with Guendouzi, Clauss accelerated down the right and passed the ball to Alexis Sánchez. The Chilean shot past Kasper Schmeichel from inside the box (0-1, 10'). The visitors came close to doubling their lead when Payet's effort went narrowly wide of the post (11').

After the first quarter of an hour, Nice were more dangerous through Rares Ilie but the Romanian's powerful shot in the box flew over Lopez's goal (17'). 11 minutes later, after a good pass from Claude-Maurice on the right, Delort crossed but the Marseille defence blocked the ball out for a corner (28'). Nice tried to come from behind and took risks. Beka Beka's attempt was blocked, while a few seconds later Lotomba sent in a superb flick for Pépé who saw his right-footed shot blocked by Rongier (29').

The first half ended with Marseille looking more and more determined to pull ahead. Tavares scored the second goal with a right-footed shot from outside the box (0-2, 37'), helped by Schmeichel's left-hand post. Sanchez quickly tripled the lead after Tavares' shot was parried by the Côte d'Azur keeper (0-3, 43'). Ilie's powerful effort (45') and Dante's overhead kick from a corner (45+1) were not enough to reduce the deficit. Nice went back to the dressing room three goals behind.

THE GYM DIDN'T HAVE THE LEGS

Lucien Favre then opted for two changes for the restart. Alexis Claude-Maurice and Rares Ilie gave way to Aaron Ramsey and Billal Brahimi. With their backs against the wall, Nice came back on the pitch with a little more attacking intent. Beka Beka's shot from outside the box was saved by Lopez (49'). Before the hour mark, it was Atal and Thuram's turn to come on in place of Bard and Beka Beka to bring in fresh blood. Atal was immediately in the spotlight with a beautiful breakthrough in the Olympian defence (58'). Lopez then caught Pepe's first-time shot in the box, cleverly set up by Delort (59').

But with the fatigue of the play-off in the legs, it was not enough to worry a solid OM team. Atal's long-range shot flew over the goal (67') and Pepe's two attempts (76' and 78') were stopped by the Marseille backline. For the last ten minutes of the game, Lucien Favre replaced Delort with Stengs to bring some speed up front. Nicolas Pepe once again headed a good cross from Brahimi to the far post but it went over the bar (85'). The Gym lost 0-3.

TWO MATCHES THIS WEEK

The Aiglons will play two league games in the coming week, an opportunity to quickly bounce back. The Gym will play at Lille on Wednesday evening (21:00) during matchday 5 of L1. The Aiglons will then take on Monaco next Sunday at the Allianz Riviera (20:45) in the Côte d'Azur derby.