On the road in Porto on Wednesday, Le Gym put in an excellent performance against Boavista. Thanks to a strong first half, and a solid second, Les Aiglons ensured the victory (2-0) in their fourth friendly of the summer. 

The features

Stylish and disciplined. A first half that proved their quality and a second focused on game management, with numerous changes to the side. This fourth test was a success for Le Gym, who were inspired in their victory. Coach Vieira would have been expecting to come up against an agressive side: and the Portuguese didn’t disappoint, allowing Les Aiglons to get that bit closer to a competitive level. 

The first period of this fourth friendly was fairly one directional and Dante and co. were able to respond to the Panthers impact with… their own impact and style. 

With feet glued to the ball and remaining impeccably disciplined, Les Aiglons were quickly rewarded for their domination. In the 11th minute, Khephren Thuram, who was bossing the midfield, won the ball back and promptly started the move. Danilo concluded it with a smart right-footed strike to the near post.

Les Aiglons weren’t satisfied to just sit on this lead. They continued to work, continued to push forward, using the wings to their advantage, where youngster Gameiro and Myziane caused endless problems. The second goal from Le Bihan (27’) came to consolidate this strong performance and a strike from Lees-Melou which found the bar (36') almost made it a walkover. At the break, the Niçois headed in to the dressing room with a comfortable lead.

The second half was more complicated for Nice. Reinvigorated, the Panthers came back with other intentions after the break and looked dangerous, particularly from set pieces. Le Gym sat back slightly but were able to hold on  and there was always an Aiglon there (Hérelle in the 48th, Le Bihan in the 60th and Clémentia in the 79th) to deny the Portuguese efforts.

At the same time, through Wylan Cyprien with an impressive strike (71') and Pierre Lees-Melou who perfectly controlled in the box (72'), the Niçois pushed up bit by bit and managed the encounter until the very end in their own way.

Coach Vieira’s choices

Three days after the match against Standard (2-1 defeat), Patrick Vieira made several changes to his starting eleven. A starting eleven in which Christophe Herelle, a pillar of the Nice defence, made his return alongside Dante. Andy Pelmard (on the right) and Racine Coly (on the left) completed the back four, who played in front of Yannis Clémentia.

In the middle, Danilo Barbosa and Pierre Lees-Melou, were charged with adding energy to the Aiglons’ game. The two midfielders played in front of Khephren Thuram, who was making his first start for Le Gym, in front of back four. 

Up-front, Mika' Le Bihan played through the middle, leaving Alexandre Gameiro the right wing and Myziane the left.

At the break, Rémi Walter replaced Racine Coly at left-back. Shortly after the hour mark, Vieira freshened up his side with Wylan Cyprien and Evann Guessand coming on to replace Danilo and Myziane (62').

In the final quarter of an hour, Sacko, Wade and Lusamba came on for Le Bihan, Thuram and Lees-Melou.

Then Brazão and Cissé came on in the 83rd minute for Gameiro and Herelle.

It’s worth noting that Les Aiglons stuck with the 4-3-3 throughout the encounter. 

The Goals

11' Agressive at the breakdown and then accurate with his passing, Thuram stole the ball from the feet of a Portuguese player and quickly pushed forward. After using Myziane on the left wing, Danilo used used runs from the very same Myziane and Lees-Melou in order to break into the heart of the Boavista defence, cut back and strike with his right into the back of Rafael Bracali’s net. Superb! 

27' Le Bihan, the fox in the box came into his own. After some smart work on the left, Myziane powerfully crossed into the box. The ball fell to the feet of the number 10 who, with a sliding effort sent the ball into the back of the net. 

C.D.
Photos JM.P.

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