There was to be no winner in the match between Le Gym and Lille on Saturday during matchday 8 of L1 (1-1).

Neck and neck throughout the evening, the Niçois and Lillois came out of this eighth game of the season with a point apiece, a level of satisfaction and the feeling that things could have gone better.

A mistake, a regret: This is the way to sum up Les Aiglons’ first half. Nothing really caused the home side any particular problems in the first 45 minutes. Nothing, apart from a Lille counter, which travelled at the speed of light. After Atal lost the ball on the edge of the box, the visitors attacked quickly, and Araujo brought the move to a close with a magnificent strike (1-1, 24’).

Before that, they had looked dangerous, it has to be said. But Le Gym were able to hold on, together, and played slightly deeper than they are used to doing, closing the spaces between the lines. An unnatural bet from the coach, given that Patrick Vieira’s squad have been used to driving the game in their own direction since the start of the season. But it was a bet that would pay off. The proof: Coly won the ball back, played it to Lusamba, who flicked on to Dolberg. The Danish forward finished clinically and calmly (1-0, 13’).

Le Gym had suffered before this moment, put under pressure by an opposition of Champions League quality, who move quickly and look to a particularly mobile and skilful Osimhen. Then Le Gym turned it around, following the example of Cyprien in every battle and an inspired and lively Lusamba. Chances fell to both sides, but the defences cancelled each other out. Each side playing in its own style, each with its own weapons, the two sides went at it, constantly challenging the other. Cyprien almost made it 2-0 from a free-kick (15’), as did Atal, after some excellent work with Dolberg (19’). At the other end, Yazici missed the target, but Les Dogues, with the support and the pace of their Nigerian striker, tried to put Benitez’s goal under pressure.

Claude-Maurice missed the target, Le Gym were put under pressure at the start of the second half, but the match continued on a level footing. Atal (51') lifted his strike over the bar, proving that Les Aiglons, despite the adversity, remained in the match.

The men from the South and the men from the North did their best to find the winner. But nobody was able to take the lead. The men from the Côte d’Azur defended deep. However, they focused on getting out from the back cleanly, relying on a comfortable and impressive Dolberg. 

Played in deep on the counter, Osimhen missed his chance to secure the three points (66'). This move was the last real chance of note.

Patrick Vieira’s choices

As he has done since the start of the season, Patrick Vieira started the game in a 4-3-3. 

In front of Benitez, Pelmard and Nsoki started through the middle; Burner and Coly played at full-back. 

In the middle, a triangle of Lusamba - Cyprien - Lees-Melou began the game. 

The front three was made up of Atal, Dolberg and Claude-Maurice. 

Claude-Maurice made way for Ganago before the hour mark; Atal came off to be replaced by Myziane at the end of the game (87'). 

Finally, Danilo came as a like-for-like sub for Lees-Melou (90+3').

The results from Matchday 8 

The league table

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