Le Gym lost 4-1 away to Stade Brestois on Matchday 5 of Ligue 1.

A week after their victory against Nantes, OGC Nice lost 4-1 to Brest at the Stade Francis-Le Blé in the league. One statistic sums up the match: Nice had 20 shots on goal and Brest had 11. The Rouge et Noir, who dominated overall, lacked ruthlessness throughout the game, which Brest had in abundance.

Le Gym were caught off guard early in the match by Ajorque (6') and Del Castillo (9'), but responded after half an hour with a goal from Moffi (30'). In the second half, the Rouge et Noir pushed forward but were caught off guard twice more by Chotard (73') and Labeau Lascary (76'). With this defeat, Nice are provisionally 11th with 6 points.

LE GYM SURPRISED EARLY

Franck Haise made two changes to his starting eleven from last week's win against Nantes. Tiago Gouveia, making his first Ligue 1 start, was at left wing-back, while Terem Moffi took his place at the centre of the attack. In front of Diouf in goal, captain Bard partnered Bah and Oppong in central defence. Clauss was at right wing-back, with Vanhoutte and Boudaoui in midfield. Up front, Diop started on the right and Boga on the left, supporting Moffi.

It was a difficult start to the match for Le Gym, who were caught off guard by Brest's efficiency and aggression. Del Castillo broke down the right wing and managed to get past Gouveia before entering the box. His low cross found Ajorque at the far post, who pushed the ball into the back of the net (1-0, 6'). Three minutes later, the Rouge et Noir were caught off guard again. After a pass from Ajorque, Del Castillo, outside the box, unleashed a beautiful curling shot. The ball came off the crossbar before bouncing into the top corner (2-0, 9').

Le Gym then tried to respond. Following a nice cross from Gouveia, Boudaoui found himself in a good position at the far post but failed to hit the target (15'). Immediately afterwards, Diop accelerated down the right and sent a cross towards Boga, who was unmarked at the far post, but his header again missed the target (16'). Nice showed their intentions but remained frustrated by Brest's organisation. Two yellow cards highlighted Le Gym's difficulties, for Vanhoutte (18') and Bard (25').

MOFFI GIVES LE GYM HOPE

The Rouge et Noir were trying to find a solution to reduce the deficit, and they eventually got it. Terem Moffi got them back into the game after a fine team move. Boudaoui played a perfect pass to the Nigerian international in the box: he controlled the ball with his chest and struck it from close range into the net. Initially disallowed, the goal was finally given after a VAR review (2-1, 30').

The Côte d'Azur side regained their composure and completely dominated the game, with Brest now on the back foot. Boga tried his luck with a right-footed shot just outside the box, but the ball flew just wide of the goal (33'). Nice increased the pressure further in the final minutes of the first half. After winning the ball high up the pitch, Boga played Gouveia into the box, and the Portuguese player curled a right-footed shot just over the bar (42'). Moments later, Boudaoui tried his luck at the edge of the box, but his right-footed shot also missed the target (43'). Nice went into the break one goal down, despite dominating the game overall.

THE ROUGE ET NOIR PUSH…

After returning from the changing rooms, Brest looked dangerous. Following a long cross from Lala, Mboup headed the ball to the left of the box to Ajorque, whose header hit the crossbar (52'). Despite this scare, Nice took control of the ball and tried to respond. Moffi, fed by Boga, unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from inside the box, which was deflected for a corner by the Brest defence (58'). Seconds later, the Nigerian striker headed a pinpoint corner from Clauss, but the ball flew just centimetres wide of the target (59').

Le Gym continued to push forward and, following a cross from Boudaoui, Chardonnet saved Brest by clearing the ball just as Boga and Moffi were about to shoot (62'). Shortly after the hour mark, Franck Haise made his first two substitutions: Moffi was replaced by Kevin Carlos and Gouveia by Jansson (63').

…BUT ARE CUAGHT OFF GUARD AGAIN

The Aiglons remained in control of the game, but were unable to equalise, and Brest surprised Nice once again. Ajorque, who was dangerous all game, passed to Chotard, who unleashed a powerful first-time strike with his right foot, leaving Diouf with no chance (3-1, 70').

To revive the team, Franck Haise made two further changes: Boudaoui was replaced by Sanson and Vanhoutte by Louchet (73'). Shortly afterwards, Kévin Carlos saw his shot in the box blocked for a corner by Chardonnet (73'). But Brest extended their lead. Following a ball in behind from Ajorque, Labeau Lascary found himself alone in front of Diouf and beat the Nice goalkeeper with a right-footed shot (4-1, 76'). Boga was replaced by Cho for Nice's final substitution (79'). It was the number 25's first appearance of the season.

At the end of the match, Le Gym tried to reduce the deficit. Diop tried his luck, but his shot was saved twice by Coudert (81'), Kevin Carlos headed a cross from Jansson on the right, but the Brest goalkeeper caught the ball (88'), and Sanson's header from a good cross by Clauss was off target (90+2'). The scoreline remained unchanged, and Nice lost the match.

FOCUS ON AS ROMA

Next Wednesday, Nice will kick off their Europa League campaign with a visit from AS Roma (9pm). Four days later, on Sunday 28 September, Le Gym will host Paris FC at the Allianz Riviera on Matchday 6 of Ligue 1 (3pm).