Through courage and mental strength, OGC Nice won their first game of the season at Lille (1-2) thanks to two penalties converted by Nicolas Pépé and Andy Delort in the first half.

After the defeat against OM three days ago, captain Dante insisted that Nice would get back on track. He wasn't wrong. The Gym showed a strong mentality in winning their first Ligue 1 game of the season at Lille (1-2). It was a bad start with Lille opening the scoring but this Gym has character! Thanks to two penalties converted in the first half by Nicolas Pépé and Andy Delort in the space of a few minutes, Nice emerged victorious.

PEPE AND DELORT GIVE THE GYM THE LEAD IN TEN MINUTES

At kick-off, Lucien Favre made four changes from the team fielded against OM last Sunday: Youcef Atal, JC Todibo (back from suspension), Khephren Thuram and Aaron Ramsey joined the starting 11, set up in a 3-5-2 formation with the Pépé-Delort duo up front.

During the first quarter of the game, Lille had control of the ball. The Aiglons were warned a few times by the home team's attacks, like the shot by Gomes (4') and an attempt by Zhegrova that was blocked for a corner by Viti (5'). The Aiglons were under pressure and remained in their own half. After Yazici's cross, Bamba's right-footed shot at the far post was deflected into the net by Todibo to open the scoring for Les Dogues (19'). Some bad luck which the Gym would use to show their strength.

As soon as the game resumed, Aaron Ramsey broke through on the right side of the box, but the Welshman was caught by Djalo (21'). The referee pointed to the penalty spot. Andy Delort, like against Strasbourg on the second match day, beat Jardim with his right foot (1-1, 22'). A few moments later, well served by Bard, Pépé controlled the ball and accelerated towards goal. The Gym new boy was brought down after contact with Léo Jardim in the area (27'), and the referee whistled a second penalty for Nice. The Côte d'Ivoire international held his nerve against his former club, converting the penalty straight down the middle to double the lead for the Gym (1-2, 29'). In the space of ten minutes, the match was turned on its head.

Reinvigorated by these two goals, the Rouge et Noir began to gain confidence in the game, looking more comfortable tactically and playing with more attacking intent. From outside the box, Delort unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that was deflected inches over the crossbar. Nice went into the break with a one-goal lead (1-2).

SOLID GYM HOLDS ON

After the break, the match resumed the same rhythm as the beginning of the first half. With one notable exception: the Dogues were creating more and more chances. Nice were pushed back into their own half and Lille dominated the action. The home side were recovering the ball high up the pitch and increasing the pressure on the Gym defence with each passing minute. Schmeichel saved a powerful shot (54') and a free-kick from Gomes (59'). The experienced goalkeeper showed all his qualities with this commanding save and his winning duel against Yazici (60').

Still leading, the Azuréens were suffering but held on for the victory.  Bamba's effort (63'), Djalo's shot from a set-piece (68'), and Bayo's (73') and Zhegrova's (82') attempts were not enough to unlock the Gym. In the final minutes, Nice withstood the Dogues' onslaught and tried to kill the game on the counter-attack. In the last seconds of the game, Schmeichel caught a shot from Gomes (90+3') and felt, like all Gym fans, the relief of having obtained a first win in the league.

FOCUS ON THE DERBY

Next Sunday (8:45pm CET), the Aiglons will play the Côte d'Azur derby against Monaco at the Allianz Riviera. We expect a big crowd to come and support the Aiglons!