Two days after the draw against Celtic (1-1), the Niçois faced Rangers, the other Scottish giant on Saturday. In a match that lacked rhythm, the young Aiglons struggled in the first half against an athletic British side and eventually Steve Gerrard’s side found the opener. Despite a better managed second half, during which a number of more senior players entered the field, Le Gym lost in their second match of the Trophée Veolia and fourth friendly of the summer.

The youngsters took care not to be caught out from the very get go as they had done on Thursday. In the same way as Celtic two days earlier, it was from an offside position that the opposition caused the first heart in mouth moment for the Nice defence. In the box, Defoe didn’t make the most of his offside position to find the back of the net, as Cardi’ was equal to it (3’).

On a warm evening in Lyon, the start of the match lacked rhythm and the two teams struggled to make the breakthrough in the final metres of the pitch. As is so often the case in tight encounters like these, the best chances come from set pieces. After a good piece of work between Hamache and Trouillet on the left wing, the latter won a free-kick. Atal stepped up to take it, and while it didn’t provide the lead for Les Aiglons, it did signal a first worrying moment for the British defence.

While Coach Vieira’s side looked to keep the ball and start their attacks from the back, the Red and Black forwards were difficult to find. The Light Blues looked more incisive in attack and got in and around the box on several occasions. To start with, Les Rouge et Noir were unmoved, with Yanis Hamache and Paul Wade clearing any danger. In the 32nd minute, it was Cardinale who was called into action to push away Ianis Hagi’s effort from distance.

With 5 minutes to go until the break the Nice keeper was this time unable to deny Defoe (0-1, 40’). Rangers stole the ball in midfield and broke quickly. Kent found the former England international in the box and Defoe beat Cardinale to take the lead.

Claude-Maurice makes his return

 

 

 

The same 22 men started the second half and the first change of the game came in the 54th minute with the arrival of Claude-Maurice. ACM brought movement and pace to the Nice attack and the former Lorient man didn’t take long to show his quality. After a one-two with Ben Seghir in the box, he saw his strike just miss the target (62’).

After the hour mark, Vieira and Gerrard made significant changes to their sides. The former Liverpool legend made five changes, while Vieira left just three starters on the field, before then replacing them a few minutes later.

Claude-Maurice, looking lively on his return to the team, tried from distance once more. The effort was blocked by the Rangers defence, and the ball just slipped past the post.

An exciting final thirty minutes

The new blood helped Les Aiglons and PLM forced McGregor to make a save (70’). Before him, it was Sacko, from wide on the right who couldn’t find the target after an excellently worked team move (69’).

Three minutes later, Kent continued to trouble the Nice defence and struck at goal from distance after a solo break. Boulhendi wasn’t to be beaten and caught the ball at the second attempt (74’). The English winger’s effort didn’t damage the Nice players’ hope and Gouiri forced McGregor into a save at the back post (75’).

Despite the good intentions and several chances, Les Aiglons didn’t manage to find the equaliser in a second half that they had managed a lot better, and unfortunately conceded a second in the last minute of the game (90+3’).

Next challenge for Le Gym sees them face Liège on 25 July at 6pm.

M.S.

 

The match in images:

 

 

Youcef Atal

Alexis Trouillet pressured by Ryan Jack

Yanis Hamache

First start for the first team for Alexandre Parsemain

Alexis Trouillet wins a free-kick on the edge of the box

Salim Ben Seghir outside the Scottish box

Flavius Daniliuc starting through the middle with Dante

Pedro Brazão up against Borna Barisič

First appearance in pre-season for Claude-Maurice, who came on in the 54th minute

Ihsan Sacko and Kasper Dolberg in between the Scottish defence

Photos : J-M.P.

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