Despite being shuffled around and hampered by injuries, OGC Nice picked up a good point from their trip to Lens on Saturday (0-0) on Matchday 6 of Ligue 1.

Three days after an intense start to their Europa League campaign against Real Sociedad (1-1), Les Aiglons were back in action at the Bollaert on Saturday. Up against a Lens side that are always hard to break down, especially at their home ground, Franck Haise's men fought well enough to secure a 0-0 draw at the end of an open encounter. They could even have gone one better after a very good second half...

At kick-off, despite having to deal with a large number of absentees, Nice's coach still needed to manage his squad, opting to keep Dante, Jonathan Clauss and Youssoufa Moukoko on the bench.

A HEROIC BULKA

Lining up together for the first time in an official match, the defence of Antoine Mendy, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Moïse Bombito, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Ali Abdi suffered from the outset. Although the Canadian international made his presence felt with a superb intervention at the feet of Wesley Saïd (7'), the visitors found it difficult to deal with the imposing M'Bala Nzola, who came close to hitting the target with a good effort (8') and then had a shot tipped onto the post by Marcin Bułka (10').

The Polish goalkeeper, who had a great game, did the same again moments later, keeping out Saïd's right-footed shot from close range (12'). Stung by Lens's blistering start, it took a few minutes for the Rouge et Noir to react, and they finally got their act together around the half-hour mark. Jeremie Boga, back in the starting line-up after a two-week absence, led the charge, finding Badredine Bouanani in the box. The Fennec came close to beating Brice Samba with a controlled shot from inside the area, but the Lens captain got down perfectly to push the shot onto the post (28').

LE GYM GROWS INTO THE GAME

Still in Will Still's side's favour, the end of the first half was a little less lively, with Le Gym finding their defensive bearings to contain the attacks from the northerners. As the second half progressed, the momentum gradually shifted. Boosted by the introduction of Jonathan Clauss and Dante at half-time, Les Aiglons stepped up a gear, reverting to their now traditional suffocating pressing to hamper their opponents' build-up play.

Evann Guessand and Co were much better in the game, but they struggled in the final third, as shown with Boga's free-kick into the wall (54') and Boudaoui's off-target effort (57'). In the end, it was Samba who denied them, the goalkeeper pulling off a superb save to keep out Rosario's header from a Clauss free-kick (66'). Not to be outdone, Bułka responded to his opposite number by winning his one-on-one with Rémy Labeau-Lascary (70').

AN INTENSE WEEK WITHOUT DEFEAT

The game was becoming increasingly tense and could have swung in Le Gym's favour in the final half-hour. Just when they thought they could have won a penalty after Diouf's very risky tackle on Boudaoui in the box (62'), Les Niçois were denied by Mr Letexier, who reviewed the footage after being alerted by VAR and decided not to punish a foul that seemed obvious. Fatigued by their efforts over the last few days, Les Aiglons were unable to find the back of the net despite finishing the game with the advantage after Anass Zaroury was sent off for an uncontrolled lunge on Rosario (84').

After a very intense three-match week that ended without a single defeat, the Rouge et Noir squad will now be able to get some rest before embarking on a huge final stretch before the international break. Next Thursday, Le Gym take on Lazio in Rome before hosting PSG in a gala match on Sunday 6 October.

Hugo Rondet