A week after their victory away at Angers (0-3) the Gym fell to defeat at home to Monaco (1-2) despite a second half fightback in Matchday 10 of Ligue 1. The Aiglons’ five-match unbeaten streak has come to an end.

Eight months after winning in injury-time to snatch European qualification from Monaco, both teams met again at the Allianz Riviera. Behind closed doors and with a subdued atmosphere, this was far from what we love in a derby. And without the passion of the fans both teams engaged in a more tactical battle this time around.

Benitez decisive in the first half

The Aiglons began the game slowly and struggled to find their rhythm. In the first 15 minutes Nice endured wave after wave of Monaco attacks, but they didn’t buckle under pressure, largely due to a phenomenal Walter Benitez performance. The Argentine goalkeeper was called into action twice in the third minute, pushing both Volland’s and Ben Yedder’s strikes onto the upright. Benitez saved his side again as Monaco kept attacking, denying Volland and Fofana (9’) then Ben Yedder (11’). Later in the first half he also saved an attempt from Martins to stop Monaco running away with the game (41’).

Earlier, however, and despite Monaco pressing less, the home side suffered a lapse in concentration and went behind as Disasi headed in from a corner (23’, 0-1).

Captain Lees-Melou reduces the deficit

After changing to a back four sadly Nice went further behind. In the 53rd minute. Diop intercepted a wayward pass from Nsoki and found himself one on one with the keeper before placing the ball between Benitez’s legs (0-2).

The derby caught fire around the hour mark with the tackles flying in. Boudaoui tried his luck from long range, and while Gouiri couldn’t get to the ball, Lees-Melou latched onto the rebound to pull one back from close range (69’, 1-2). After the goal the Aiglons dominated possession in the opposition half, but nearly conceded against the run of play as Monaco hit the upright (82’). And despite attempts from Lopes (79’) and Ndoye (88’) Nice couldn’t quite grab an equaliser.

Another derby is on the cards after the international break. The Gym will be away at the Stade Vélodrome as they face Marseille on Saturday November 21 at 21:00 CET.

The match in pictures:

Hicham Boudaoui

​Robson Bambu gets the better of Gelson Martins

Jordan Lotomba

Amine Gouiri

Captain Pierre Lees-Melou

Kasper Dolberg tries a shot

First to react, Pierre Lees-Melou pulls one back

Photos : A.D.

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