On Saturday, Le Gym came out on top against Nantes on Matchday 6 of Ligue 1 (2-1). With a numerical advantage from the third minute, Les Aiglons managed to find the back of the Nantes’ net on two occasions. After two defeats and a draw, Le Gym got back to winning ways at the Allianz Riviera.

Matches are often made up of smaller stories. The first in this Nice – Nantes was written in the third minute, when Girotto was sent off after a dangerous tackle connected with Kamara’s ankle, and forced Nantes to play with ten men for the rest of the match. The match quickly shaped up into an attack vs defence, with one clear objective for Les Rouge et Noir: score as quickly as possible and keep it tight at the back.

Despite numerous chances, clear domination of possession, an attacking change by Coach Vieira, who switched his 4-3-3 into a 4-4-2 in the 23rd minute (with Myziane on the left, Lopes on the right and a Dolberg – Gouiri duo up-front), Le Gym struggled to make their chances count. Dolberg, Lees-Melou, Lopes and Gouiri were repeatedly denied by Lafont or missed the target, and this brought about a real tension to the encounter. A match that 1,000 Niçois were able to follow from the stands, which was one of the other pieces of good news of the evening.

OGC Nice found the back of the net on two occasions, writing the second story of the evening. Because despite all of the attacking talent out on the pitch, it was Dante who opened the scoring as he slipped past Pallois in the six yard box to head home Gouiri’s corner (1-0, 27'). And although Les Nantais equalised shortly before the break, from the penalty spot after Pelmard handled in the box (1-1, 45+6), it was Khephren Thuram in the second half who got the decisive goal. Thuram was initially due to start on the bench and replaced Schneiderlin just before kick-off due to an injury to the Frenchman. Gouiri pushed towards goal and Thuram made the most of the ball falling into his path to bury home (2-1, 62’), adding another goal to the two goals the n°19 picked up during pre-season (against Saint-Etienne and Rennes).

The final story of the evening could appear to be a nod to destiny. With the region experiencing a very difficult period following the violent weather, when speaking before the match, President Rivère wished to “dedicate the evening to the victims, hoping to be able to dedicate a victory.”

This evening’s victory is therefore dedicated to them and OGC Nice once again sends its condolences to the families impacted by the tragedy.

The match in photos

1,000 Niçois back at the Allianz Riviera: one of the best images of the evening

Girotto sent off in the 3rd minute: Le Gym played 11 against 10 for nearly all of the encounter.

Khephren Thuram started in midfield after Morgan Schneiderlin picked up a knock in training and scored the decisive goal!

Second goal of the season for Dante, picking up the opener from a corner (27')

Amine Gouiri, with his second assist of the season, which should be added to the one that wasn’t counted, which gave Dolberg his goal against Strasbourg...

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