On the road at Stade Brestois on Saturday, OGC Nice won by the slimmest of margins thanks to a goal from Evann Guessand (42'), meaning the Aiglons win in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

After winning the Côte d'Azur derby last week against Monaco (2-1), the Rouge et Noir defeated another tough opponent this Saturday on Matchday 10 of Ligue 1. Facing a Brest side who are always a tough nut to crack at the Francis-le-Blé, Franck Haise's men played a spirited game, with two very different halves, but both were enough to win (0-1). Once again, Nice's breakthrough came from Evann Guessand. The 23-year-old striker gave his team the lead by scoring his sixth goal of the season at the very end of the first half.

Set up in their usual 3-4-3 formation, Les Aiglons were able to count on the return of three key players: Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Dante. All of them were needed to contain Brest's storm, which is known for its strength in every match in the small but noisy Finistère stadium. The first fuses were lit by the Pirates and Pierre Lees-Melou. The former Aiglon player was played in by Mahdi Camara on the edge of the box and curled a shot towards goal, forcing Marcin Bułka into a fine save (5').

ABDI ON FIRE, GUESSAND DECISIVE

However, following on from their fine win over Monaco, Les Aiglons gradually began to establish themselves in the game. Unbeaten in Ligue 1 since September 14 and the trip to OM (M4, 2-0), Le Gym did not panic and succeeded in asserting control of the match. High pressure, quick recoveries, transitions... the Nice team worked hard to make their opponents back off, troubled by the intensity of the men in blue. Jeremie Boga was perfectly played in on the left side of the box by Mohamed-Ali Cho and went close to scoring, but Marco Bizot was on hand to keep out his shot (18'). It was the same story again a few moments later, with Brest's last line of defence again alert to deny Le Gym's lively left wing-back Abdi, who struck a powerful shot from close range (20’).

Led by the outstanding Ali Abdi, Les Aiglons never let their grip slip. A real live wire on the left wing, the former SM Caen man posed a constant threat to the home side. The Tunisian international even thought he had his second assist in 6 days, when his pull-back was tapped into the net by Cho, but the goal was disallowed for an offside by Guessand (36'). But Le Gym were not to be deterred. Found again on his side of the pitch, after a fine team move involving Dante and Boga, Abdi crossed hard to the far post... for Guessand, who slid in to guide the ball into the back of the net (0-1, 42'). The same assister from the equaliser against Monaco, and the same goalscorer: the Tunisian and Ivorian internationals speak the same language, and when they find each other, Le Gym are decisive.

AN IMPERIAL BULKA

Despite being rewarded at the end of the first period, Les Aiglons had a very different experience in the second. Against a Breton side unbeaten at home since the first matchday and a loss to OM, it was always going to be a challenge. Irresistible in the Champions League and still competitive in Ligue 1 this season, Eric Roy's men reacted strongly, forcing Bułka into a series of saves. He was alert to keep out Ludovic Ajorque's thumping header (48‘), vigilant to keep out Jordan Amavi's dangerous effort (54’), and quick to clear a scramble between Ibrahim Salah and Jonathan Clauss in front of the goal line (75')... The Pole was the man of the second half, imperious in maintaining Nice's lead. The 1.99m giant came up trumps again at the end of normal time, tipping Lees-Melou's header over the crossbar (89').

Solid and focused despite their opponents' attacks, the Rouge et Noir showed their resilience to hold out, sometimes benefiting from a touch of fortune, as in the case of Lees-Melou's powerful shot which smashed against Bułka's post (51').

Determined to win for the second time in a row for the first time in all competitions in 2024-25, Le Gym pulled out all the stops and were rewarded for their efforts with a second away win of the season. Provisionally in 5th place in Ligue 1, two points behind Lille (3rd), who visit the Allianz Riviera on Sunday, Dante and Co will now set their sights on Europe. On the agenda: the visit of Dutch side FC Twente on Thursday 7 November in the Europa League (6.45pm).

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Hugo Rondet