In a competitive match, Les Aiglons dominated and took the lead thanks to a goal from Dolberg, before conceding the equaliser at the Allianz Riviera to take a point from Lille, the current leaders who remain on an unbeaten run after eight L1 matches this season (1-1).

In his press conference this week, Morgan Schneiderlin recognised that Europa League weeks are sapping on the body and the start of the encounter this afternoon, which was was played in the Azuréen rain, proved the Frenchman to be spot on.

Maignan proves decisive against Schneiderlin

Between two sides involved in the Europa League and who this week started a marathon of 15 matches taking them up to Christmas, this game on Matchday 8 unsurprisingly took some time to open up. With the visitors lacking precision in the final metes of the pitch, Le Gym showed greater control and created the better chances.

In the 12th minute, Mike Maignan saw his defence deny efforts from Dante and Kamara, before he was called into action to stop a header from Schneiderlin from a corner.

Yilmaz fights back after Dolberg’s opener

After the break, Le Gym converted their domination as they found the back of the net after a smart move. Played in by Claude-Maurice, Dolberg controlled the ball before holding off a challenge from a defender and chipping over the onrushing keeper (1-0, 49'). A lead that wouldn’t last long. Less than 10 minutes later, the current leaders reacted. Araujo found Yilmaz in the box and the forward converted with a powerful finish (1-1, 58').

The final minutes of the encounter didn’t allow either side to find the goal that would secure the three points, despite Jeff Reine-Adélaïde’s first minutes in red and black, a header from Thuram that slipped past Maignan’s post (85'), and a crazy piece of goalkeeping as the Lille stopper fouled Gouiri (89’).

Les Aiglons will be back at the Allianz Riviera on Thursday to face Hapoël Beer-Sheva in the group stage of the Europa League (Matchday 2, 9pm).

The match in images:

​Morgan Schneiderlin

Morgan Schneiderlin rises highest from a corner and forces Mike Maignan into a save

​Dante tries his luck but his effort is blocked by the Lille defence

A battle between full-backs (Jordan Lotomba and Domagoj Bradaric)

​​Alexis Claude-Maurice beats Luiz Araujo

Claude-Maurice finds Dolberg, who controls, holds off his man and chips over the keeper to open the scoring (49')

Jeff Reine-Adélaïde makes his debut for Nice after coming on in the 81st minute

From Gouiri’s free-kick, Thuram just misses the target (85')

Photos : A.D.

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