On Saturday, Le Gym fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg in their final friendly of pre-season (8-1). 

The features

After a decent first half performance, Les Azuréens collapsed in the second half of this 120 minute long match. The cause? Two goals conceded right at the start of the second period and the Germans’ superiority.  

At the break, however, the score had been close and Les Aiglons were in the running. Caught out by an early goal from Klaus (7’), they got back on level terms through an excellent header from Dante (1-1, 14’).

Against the opposition’s 3-6-1, Le Gym had to manage advanced full-backs as well as a tough battle through the middle. When they managed to do so, they had a couple of good chances in the first hour of the game.  

There were chances for both sides during the first half. One after the other: Weghorst made the most of a poor clearance to head home and give his side the lead (2-1, 30’). Clémentia came out on top of his one-on-one with Victor, and Wolfsburg hit the bar (50’). 

At the other end, Myziane had a good chance to get through on goal, but former St-Étienne central defender and captain read the game well (47’). After a good piece of work from Sylvestre, Sacko’s cross couldn’t pick out a man (47’). Finally, Ganago made a run through the middle, but the Cameroonian forward’s effort was pulled just a little and smashed against the post (55’).

Two hammer blows fell shortly after the half-time break, making the task impossible for Le Gym. A strike from Gerhardt after a corner was cleared off the line by Burner (75') and another incredible strike from Brekalo (79'), widened the gap between the two sides. The score got even worse when Gerhardt got his brace (85'), Uduokhai smashed a header into the back of the net (90'), and Steffen scored from the penalty spot (106'). Bruma brought the game to an end with two minutes to go (118').

Patrick Vieira’s choices 

OGC Nice started the game in a 4-3-3.

Clémentia started in goal, behind a back four of Burner, Herelle, Dante and Sarr.

In the middle, Tameze started deep, before pushing up to 8 when Danilo went off. The Brazilian, whilst on the pitch looked in great form, covering lots of ground, and making plenty of interceptions through the middle of the pitch. Sylvestre, who was the second midfielder was equally effective in his play. 

Finally, up-front, Sacko played on the right, and Myziane and Ganago shared the left wing and central role between them.

Before the break, Cyprien came on for Danilo and played in front of the back four.

During the second half of the game, Coach Vieira replaced each of his starters and Nice finished the match as follows: Clémentia - Gameiro, Cissé, Pelmard, Coly - Lees-Melou, Cyprien (cap), Walter - Guessand, Le Bihan, Brazão.

The goals 

(1-0) 7' After winning the ball back high up the pitch, the Wolves opened the scoring thanks to a low strike from Klaus, assisted by Victor, from 20 metres out.

(1-1) 14' A wide free-kick, ideal for a left footer. An excellent ball in from Eddy Sylvestre found the head of Dante. Helped by the bar, the Brazilian equalized in excellent style. 

(2-1) 30' Another interception high up the pitch, Wolfsburg found the right wing quickly, and then whipped the ball into the middle. Weghorst, VfL Wolfsburg’s top scorer from last year’s Bundesliga with 23 goals, was there to head home.

(3-1) 75' After a goal mouth scramble following a corner, the ball landed at the feet of Gerhardt, who didn’t think twice and extended his side’s lead. 

(4-1) 79' In the minutes that followed, Brekalo broke free on the left, cut into the middle and found the back of the net with a magnificent strike. 

(5-1) 85' Gerhardt, for his brace. After some smart link-up play, the forward, who came on at the break, got through on goal and found a way past Clémentia. 

(6-1) 90' An excellent free-kick found Felix Uduokhai who scored Wolfsburg’s 6th with his head. 

(7-1) 106' Reanto Steffen converts a penalty conceded by Lees-Melou.

(8-1) 118' Bruma makes the most of a final set-piece to score the eighth of the afternoon. 

---