Despite dominating the large part of the encounter, OGC Nice were pegged bock by Metz at the end of the match. On Saturday evening, they take home a point and some regrets from the Stade Saint-Symphorien (1-1).

75 minutes of domination. A hybrid 3-5-2, with an inverted midfield triangle with Thuram sitting in front of the defence and Boudaoui and Reine-Adelaïde playing box-to-box roles. Atal looked lively, with incredible movement and numerous chances. An opener from Gouiri from the penalty spot (0-1 18') and then a second goal that just wouldn’t come, before football played its usual tricks. 

That pretty much sums up Le Gym’s encounter at Metz on Saturday (Matchday 19). A match - the final of the first half of the season - where for so much of the game, it seemed to be going in their favour, but one in which they were just missing that accuracy and touch of luck in the penultimate pass. Despite a desire to do so, this prevented them from putting the game to bed.

But a game of football lasts for 90 minutes. From the 75th minute, following three attacking substitutions by Fred Antonetti, Les Rouge et Noir began to suffer. Metz pushed in a disorganised manner and created numerous chances from set-pieces. From one of them and after a scramble in the box, the ball hit the post and then fell to Boye, who equalised with an unintentional back-heel (1-1, 75').

Dolberg’s return (absent since Rennes) at the end of the encounter didn’t allow Les Aiglons to retake the lead.

A shame for Le Gym, who could have even travelled back to the Côte d'Azur empty handed, if it wasn’t for an intervention by an impressive Saliba to deny Ambrose  in the dying embers of the match.