Down to the wire and with faith! Les Aiglons recorded an epic 1-0 victory in an evenly contested derby, where Jeremie Boga scored a superb goal in added time - after  Marcin Bulka had saved two penalties!

First Paris, now Monaco! Les Aiglons continued their impressive start to the season on Friday evening at the Stade Louis-II, winning 1-0 in a thriller thanks to a late goal from Jeremie Boga. The Ivorian winger, who arrived from Atalanta this summer, thus scored his first goal for Le Gym. And what a goal it was! Finding himself on the halfway line, the former Sassuolo man accelerated forward, leaving the Monaco defence in his wake. After skinning Singo, Boga burst into the box before cutting the ball back onto his right foot.

The result: a fierce shot that beat Philipp Köhn at his far post (0-1, 90'+1). Les Aiglons could rejoice because, despite a final attempt by ASM's Takumi Minamino, the scoreline remained the same: for the second time in 2023, Les Rouge et Noir claimed Côte d'Azur derby honours. What's more, they are now provisionally top of the league after six matches, the win taking them a point clear of Monaco, whose undefeated start to the season is now a thing of the past.

Les Aiglons can thank Bulka

But before that happy ending, Francesco Farioli's men were made to suffer - and without the heroic Marcin Bułka, there would have been no victory. Nice's last line of defence turned in a superb performance, saving not just one but two penalties from Folarin Balogun.

The first followed a foul by Jordan Lotomba, who caught Golovin in the box. American international Balogun chose to place his shot to the right of Le Gym's goalkeeper, who dived at full stretch to turn away the effort (11'). The second was incurred by Morgan Sanson, who was slightly late in his challenge on Minamino. This time, Balogun opted for power but, once again, the former Reims man failed to beat Bulka, who was quick to celebrate his save in front of a frenzied Nice crowd (55').

YOUSSOUF IMPERIOUS, Boga decisive

In the meantime, Le Gym were having trouble breaking through Monaco's first line of defence, pressing high up the pitch. This could have proved costly, but the visitors also managed to create chances. Always generous with their efforts, and none more so than the imperious Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Les Rouge et Noir almost opened the scoring twice through Sofiane Diop: first with a header (29') and then with a right-footed shot that flew over (31').

The second half was more chaotic and for a long time it was impossible to know which way it would break. After the second penalty of the evening, Youssouf hit Köhn's cross-bar (76') before Ben Yedder found the back of the net - from an off-side position (84'). But Nice's self-sacrifice and spirit were rewarded in the end, as Boga was on hand to deliver his side glory.

Still unbeaten in the league, Les Aiglons are provisionally top of Ligue 1 this Friday evening, the start of Round 6, and will play host to Brest on Sunday 1 October to confirm their grip on top spot - and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Allianz Riviera.

Hugo Rondet