OGC Nice and Stade de Reims played out a 0-0 draw at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday after a great battle in which either side could have knocked the other off their perch, but in the end neither succeeded.

The Allianz Riviera was filled with colour this carnival weekend for a duel between Le Gym and Reims. For 45 minutes, it was the best of times for Les Aiglons and their supporters, with the lack of clinical finishing the only downside to a magnificent performance. With Bard and Diop back in the starting line-up, Didier Digard's team played in a 4-3-3 formation and attacked the first half with aggression and ferocity. Driven by the desire to impose pressure on their opponents across the pitch, with breathtaking intensity, Dante and his teammates smothered the Rémois in what the coach himself said was "the best thing we have done" since Didier Digard took over. The only problem was that they didn't manage to take advantage of a (very) strong start, despite some very dangerous chances and recording 10 shots to Reims' 1 in the first 45 minutes.

The most clear-cut? A strike from Moffi (4’), one from Thuram (16’), two from Todibo following set-pieces (22’, 29’). All of them missed the target. 

SCHMEICHEL SAVES BALOGUN'S PENALTY

After having used up a lot of energy, Nice were caused problems by the Rémois after the break. The latter had gone 15 games without defeat in L1 before kick-off. Le Gym came close to shooting themselves in the foot in the 55th minute, when Balogun was awarded a generous penalty after a foul by Todibo. The two players came together, the forward was the first to make contact, but the penalty was somehow given to Reims. The immense Kasper Schmeichel pushed away the top scorer in the top flight's attempt from the spot and was the hero of the evening. The Danish international went the right way (his right) and brought everyone else along with him.

Despite the arrivals of Brahimi, Bouanani, Ndayishimiye and Barkley, Le Gym didn't put the visitors under pressure, aside from a Thuram header (60’) and an effort that flew over from Melvin Bard (75’).

Will Still's side were more enterprising and dominated the last 30 minutes, but Les Rouge et Noir showed courage and solidarity.

Le Gym will continue to move forward and will travel to Monaco on Sunday 26 February (5.05pm) for the derby on Matchday 25.

OGC Nice / Icon Sport