The Gym's 2022/2023 campaign comes to a close on Saturday 3 June when they host Lyon (21:00). It is a fixture that has become a familiar end to the season since the Aiglons' return to Ligue 1 in 2002. Here's a look back at some of these often high-stakes and sometimes spectacular encounters. 

A CRAZY SURVIVAL

LYON 3-4 NICE (MD38, 2011/2012 season)

Sunday 20 May 2012. A date that will live long in the memory of all the Gym fans old enough to have watch this dangerous trip between the Rhône and Saône. The Red and Blacks, who were just one point clear of the relegation zone going into the game, needed at least a draw to ensure their survival in the top flight. Didier Digard and his team-mates were in the ascendancy, but found themselves 2-0 down on the half-hour mark against Ligue 1's fourth-placed side.

But René Marsiglia's men, buoyed by their warrior spirit, snatched an equaliser through Fabian Monzon and then Kafoumba Coulibaly, before getting a helping hand from their former goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who scored an own goal. Jimmy Briand equalised shortly after the hour mark, but the 21-year-old Esmaël Gonçalves pulled off a solo goal to keep the Aiglons up (3-4) in a match that has gone down in the club's history books.

A HISTORIC YEAR, AND A SPECTACULAR ENDING

LYON 3-3 NICE (MD38, 2016/2017 season)

In 2016/2017, Lucien Favre's men arrived at Groupama Stadium under less pressure. Already certain of finishing the season in a record third place in the league, Les Niçois, who had an eleven-point lead over their opponents in fourth, were keen to finish well after two defeats in a row. With Dante, Ricardo Pereira, Mario Balotelli and Alassane Plea all missing from the starting line-up, Le Gym were caught off guard from the off by an unlucky own goal from Maxime Le Marchand.

But Les Azuréens quickly responded through 'Tassos' Donis, who equalised for a second time in the second half after OL had regained the lead through Lacazette. Gym showed their mental strength again at the very end of the match when Jean-Michaël Séri scored from the penalty spot in injury time to level the scores for a third time.

THE UNFINISHED COMEBACK 

LYON 3-2 NICE (MD38, 2017/2018 season)

One year on, it was the same old story all over again. Les Aiglons, in 6th place and provisionnally through to the Europa League play-offs at the start of the next season, needed to win at Lyon to be sure of a place in Europe. Le Gym took the game by the scruff of the neck, opening the scoring through Alassane Plea after 18 minutes.

But Les Gones, buoyed by the great Memphis Depay, who scored a hat-trick, and over-motivated by their desire to book their place in the Champions League, rallied. Plea's 88th-minute goal sent a final shiver down the home side's spine. But that last gasp was not enough and the Gym, who saw their two direct rivals, Bordeaux and Saint-Etienne, win at the same time, finished 8th, one point off Europe.

A SUCCESSFUL END TO THE SEASON

LYON 2-3 NICE (MD38, 2020/2021 season)

The scoreline was the opposite three years later. In the final game of a season in which they finished in 9th place, the Rouge et Noir won 3-2 in Lyon after another crazy encounter. Trailing twice after two goals from Karl Toko Ekambi, Adrian Ursea's men came back first through Kasper Dolberg and then after a powerful shot from Hassane Kamara. A goal from William Saliba, on loan at Le Gym for half a season, completed the comeback for Les Aiglons, who denied their opponents a place in the UEFA Champions League.

 

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Hugo Rondet

OGC Nice