The Gym were beaten at home by Dijon this Sunday in matchday 12 of Ligue 1 (1-3).

Just three days after their defeat against Slavia Prague, Nice couldn’t bounce back on their return to league action.

Despite creating numerous chances, some of them clear-cut, the Aiglons struggled to get back into the game. Their only goal came from Gouiri, who scored a penalty with a slice of luck in the 79th minute (1-3).

From kick off Nice were on the front foot but couldn’t find the net despite having a couple of massive opportunities cleared by the Dijon defence. Two moments stand out. The first one came after some good pressure by Thuram. After a scramble the ball fell to Gouiri, whose shot was blocked by Panzo (18’). The second came in the 68th minute as Rony Lopes curled a strike from the right hand side. His effort was parried away by Racioppi and hit Lees-Melou on the chest, then agonizingly hit the post before Gouiri’s attempt was blocked by Ecuele Manga.

After that period of pressure, Dijon opened the scoring through two blistering attacks. In the first half Baldé notched after a counter attack from a Nice corner (0-1, 18’). After the break Baldé once more got the finishing touch after he intercepted a poor back pass from Danilo to score his second of the game. (0-3, 67’). Between those two strikes the Dijon left back Ngonda hit a brilliant left-footed volley across goal to double their lead (0-2, 31’).

Dijon were set on holding onto their lead in the second half after dominating the first period.

The Gym found another gear after Trouillet, Lopes and Ndoye came on, and tried their best to score. But they couldn’t find the net from open play.

The Aiglons will be back playing on Thursday against Bayer Leverkusen in matchday 5 of the Europa League.

The match in pictures

Hicham Boudaoui was back in the starting eleven, on the right of the frontline.

Amine Gouiri

Stanley Nsoki and Danilo formed the Aiglons’ centre back partnership

Andy Pelmard

Capitain Lees-Melou

Alexis Trouillet made a good impact coming off the bench for half an hour

Amine Gouiri was Nice’s only goalscorer on the night