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On Saturday, OGC Nice kicked off the second half of their season, securing a victory over Bordeaux at the Allianz Riviera (1-0).

The features

A couple of chances in attack, one converted, without conceding a goal, 3 points. This is the summary of Week 20 on the Plaine du Var. Shaken by the Bordelais from the beginning of the encounter, predominantly due to losing the ball in the build-up, the men from the Côte were able to hit the back of the net from their first real chance. In the minutes that followed, they were serious and made the most of their visitors’ lack of final product in the last third. One stat sums this up: Bordeaux had only hit the target from 2 of their 10 shots at the break, and 4 of their 18 efforts at the final whistle.

Throughout the second half of the match, this lack of final product took a hold of the two sides in front of goal, which ensured the score remained as it was at the break, as demonstrated by the off-target effort from Sacko from the edge of the box (69’), having been played into the space by Saint-Maximin. The rhythm never really got going, but the Aiglons became more and more assured as the minutes went by. The Gym were able to hold onto a precious lead and continued (in vain) to look to get the second goal.

In the end, they put in a good collective performance, which allowed them to take home the three points.

Coach Vieira’s choices

A departure from the back 3 (or 5): Patrick Vieira decided to return to the 4-3-3 that he had often used at the start of the season. Usually playing on the left of the centre backs, Malang Sarr moved out to left back, Hérelle and Dante in the middle, Cyprien in defensive midfield and Tameze and Makengo in the number 8 role.

Up-front, Eddy Sylvestre and Allan Saint-Maximin, took charge of the wings, with Ihsan Sacko through the middle. For his first start in L1, Eddy Sylvestre, active and technical, confirmed the good impressions that he had made in Toulouse. While Allan Saint-Maximin was at the heart of everything good for the home side. With speed and cutting edge.

On the hour mark, Rémi Walter replaced JV Makengo, in a like-for-like change, and added density to the heart of the debates. Bassem Srarfi was thrown on for the final quarter of an hour. But after picking up a shoulder injury, the Tunisian was forced off just 9 minutes later, and was replaced by Christophe Jallet. With the France international’s arrival, the Gym switched to a 5-4-1, with Saint-Max on his own up-front.

The goal

15’ Allan Saint-Maximin scored the only goal of the encounter from the penalty spot, after 15 minutes of play. With a calm head, he perfectly placed his spot kick into the back of the net. A deserved reward for the man who had started the move that led to the penalty, as he cut in from the left and found Sacko. The former Strasbourg man, played in deep, controlled on his chest, accelerated, and was then knocked off balance by Jovanovic. “ASM” converted the spot kick. His fourth goal of the season in L1.

The Aiglon of the Match

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