​Le Gym picked up their fourth win of the season, and their second away from home, with a 3-1 triumph at Saint-Etienne on Sunday, moving them up to fifth in the L1 table ahead of their UEFA Europa League opener in Leverkusen on Thursday.

Starting a marathon of 7 matches in 22 days, Les Aiglons blew hot and cold on Sunday. The first half had everything needed to start their punishing run of fixtures on the right foot as they found the clinical streak and the luck that had deserted them when they hit the woodwork three times in their last away game in Bordeaux (0-0). With the very first shot of the game, Pierre Lees-Melou returned a Jessy Moulin punch with interest, his first-time shot ricocheting off the turf and careering into the net just under the crossbar (0-1, 8'). It was the midfielder's first goal of the season. Half-an-hour in, Amine Gouiri was in the right place at the right time when Saidou Sow unwittingly took Jordan Lotomba's cross away from Moulin and diverted it into his path to claim his third of the season and the team's second of the afternoon (0-2, 30').

With a comfortable lead, the Niçois then made life more difficult for themselves as they started to feel the hosts' pressure. When Walter Benitez miscued a clearance, Romain Hamouma latched onto the loose ball and his cross allowed Adil Aouchiche to pull one back (1-2, 57').

Patrick Vieira's men weathered the green storm, however, and when Dan Ndoye's attempted shot fell for Myziane Maolida, the substitute opened his 2020/21 account to wrap up the win (90+2').

Before facing Lille at home on Sunday (5pm CEST), Les Aiglons travel to Germany to take on Leverkusen on Thursday in their UEFA Europa League group stage opener (6.55pm CEST).

THE WIN IN PICTURES

Pierre Lees-Melou opens the scoring and claims his first goal this season (8', 0-1)

Walter Benitez

Robson Bambu was back in the starting XI

3 pictures for the 2nd goal: Lotomba's ball in from the right, Sow and Moulin get in a mix-up, and Gouiri nets his first L1 goal away from home.

Morgan Schneiderlin beats Kevin Monnet-Paquet to the ball

 

Photos : J-M.P.

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