After clearly dominating the encounter, including when down to ten men, Le Gym secured a precious victory at Nîmes on Wednesday on Matchday 15. Despite lacking a touch of luck for 85 minutes, they took home all three points thanks to a goal from Dan Ndoye in the 86th minute, before Claude-Maurice picked up the second just minutes later (2-0, 90+4’).

On Wednesday, playing behind closed doors at a Stade des Costières with a very wet pitch, Les Aiglons pushed forward, attacked and looked to rediscover the taste of victory that had escaped them since the game against Angers.

Decisions paid off

Even going down to ten men just before the hour mark, when Morgan Schneiderlin picked up his second yellow card of the match, couldn't knock them off course and they stuck to the plan and continued to push forward. An ambition driven by Adrian Ursea because even with the numerical disadvantage, the coach pushed for the win. He switched from a 3-4-3 to a 4-3-1, then replaced Kamara with Ndoye as he looked to make the difference. The Swiss youth international looked full of beans and he beat Burner to win a corner. He then attacked the back post just before the end of the match, picking up an overhit cross and then slotting home (1-0, 86’). The audacious coaching paid off.

Before that, Le Gym dominated across the pitch. They created a series of chances, so much so that if we listed them, they would make this match report unreadable (see more here).

After the opener, the visitors battled, held on and ensured the victory when another super sub, Alexis Claude-Maurice got the second of the match (2-0, 90+4'). The n°10 made the most of some smart work from Lotomba. The Swiss full-back tackled to deny the home side an attack, then found Reine-Adelaïde, who played the ball into "ACM".

A positive end to a match which allowed all in Red and Black to breathe a real sigh of relief.

The match in photos 

Rony Lopes, starting on the right of the attack, created Le Gym's first opportunity of the match…

... But despite a good ball from the playmaker, Amine Gouiri missed the target (6')

Robson Bambu started in the middle of the defensive trio

Some delightful play from Jeff Reine-Adelaïde concluded with a strike that was turned away by Reynet (24')

Khephren Thuram put in an excellent performance in midfield

A third consecutive start in L1 for Flavius Daniliuc

Morgan Schneiderlin was shown a red card after 60 minutes

Corner from Lopes, Nsoki header... against the bar! (69')

Dan Ndoye, 1-0 (86')

Claude-Maurice, 2-0 (90+4')

Photos:  J-M.P