The good run of form continues! Thanks to another goal from Super Mario and a tough match, the Gym secured victory over Bordeaux on matchday 18 of L1 (1-0).

A Christmas feeling filled the Allianz Riviera for what would be the last home game of 2017. The Aiglons enhanced that and were able to offer their supporters a very nice present: a fourth consecutive league win. They now sit in 6th place in the table, in top form heading into the holiday season. Refreshed, rekindled and back in the running in all categories.

Against a team of Girondins who came to defend as a team and to hit on the break, the Gym had to remain patient and constant. They did so seriously. Set-up in a 4-3-3 at kick-off, they played quality football, and spent most of the game in the opponent’s half, showing that quality only needs confidence and points to be able to be shown. They took a step back towards the end of the game, without, however, being put under real danger.

Even though the first chances fell to the visitors, the opening of the score fell to the Niçois. After half an hour of the game, Maxime Le Marchand, once again starting (and once again effective) on the left of the back four, played an excellent ball into the box, Pierre Lees-Melou won his battle in the air and headed back across the area, Super Mario turned it home with his left, in front of the Sud (1-0, 36’).

Always there and always complaining - which is always a good sign -, the Italian continued to carry his side on his back, with aggressiveness. Before this, his battle with a hesitant Prior almost benefitted Plea, who couldn’t find the target with his half-volley (30’). These were to be the main two Nice chances in the first period.

In the other direction, Bordeaux troubled with a break from Sabaly who then struck with his left foot (20’), an effort from Plasil (38’) and another from De Préville (43’), but all of their attempts ended up off-target.

No break, but some points…

The Azuréens attacked the second half as they finished the first: with application and quality. Bordeaux picked up several set pieces, Nice lacked the break. This was the case until the final whistle.

From a Balotelli missile from 30 metres out, Prior pushed away as best he could, Lees-Melou (in the right place) then struck against the post with a reflex shot, but Plea was then unable to get onto the end of it (58'). Dominating the possession of the ball, and always playing high up the pitch, Dante and his teammates - whose block to deny De Preville on sixty minutes kept his side in the lead - pushed forward to try to ensure they would keep the victory. PLM tried an incredible piece of skill, but Prior dealt with it perfectly (67').

Jocelyn Gourvennec threw on Malcom in the last 30 minutes, which added more incisiveness to the away side’s attacks and, as always in these types of circumstances, the Red and Black fans crossed their fingers and hoped that their protégés wouldn’t be caught out by any unwanted surprises. 

There weren’t to be any, and the Gym finished an exceptional year on a happy note.

Wishing a happy festive period to all fans and hoping that 2018 will continue in the same way.

C.D.

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