In a thrilling encounter and after going 2-0 down, Le Gym eventually managed to salvage a draw after being reduced to 10 men.

It was a reshuffled eleven that coach Haise put together for this continental clash. No fewer than 7 changes were made to the team sheet from the winning trip to Brittany: Laborde, Ndombele, Diop and Camara started, while Clauss, Guessand and Boga were on the bench (and the injured Abdelmonem was sidelined). Eager to pick up points after a difficult start to their European campaign (two defeats to Lazio and Ferencvaros and a draw with Real Sociedad), Les Aiglons were keen to shine in front of their home fans. However, the start of the game was not what the Rouge et Noir coach had hoped for.

A DEFENCE UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE OUTSET

As early as the 2nd minute, Regeer tried to break through towards Nice's goal, and despite a minor misunderstanding between Moïse Bombito and Marcin Bulka, the goalkeeper came out well to stop the Dutchman's attempt. A few minutes later, after Besselink crossed to the near post, the same player cleverly played the ball back to Rots. The forward curled his shot across goal to open the scoring (8').

The Rouge et Noir reaction was swift. The young Issiaga Camara (19), starting for the first time in his career in Nice's midfield, tried his luck from distance. His shot skimmed the top of Tyton's net (10'). Franck Haise's side continued to push forward. Sofiane Diop broke down the left and crossed to Youssoufa Mokoko at the far post. The German international's header went wide (16'). Despite the improvement, the Dutch side continued to press and create danger in Nice's half. It took a fine Marcin Bulka save to prevent Rots from doubling their lead (18').

Despite this, Le Gym tried to break free of the Dutch grip. Louchet and then Diop tried to breach the visiting defence, but it remained resolute (24', 29'). Le Gym were better at the end of the first half and it showed with a higher Nice block. Les Azuréens camped on the edge of their opponents' box and even had their best chance shortly before the break. After good work from Louchet on the right, his cross into the area was well diverted by Ndombele for Diop, who found himself up against Tyton. His toe-poke was parried away by the goalkeeper. Le Gym went into the break trailing by a goal (0-1).

GOOD STARTERS

After the break, coach Haise made two changes to revitalise his team: Cho and Clauss replaced Moukoko and Camara. However, the start of the second half was much the same as the first, with Joseph Oosting's side in the ascendancy. After a spell of attacks, Regeer managed to break down the right. He crossed for Lammers, who was alone in the box, but Marcin Bulka made a brilliant save to keep his side in it (50'). Moments later, it was Bombito who beat the oncoming Van Bergen to relieve his side.

Le Gym wanted to react and gradually began to get themselves back in the game. From corners by Bard and Bombito and then by Laborde from distance, the Aiglons were more dangerous but came up against a vigilant defence. Despite this surge, the Dutch managed to create some good chances. Vlap tried his luck from distance and hit the post (59'). A minute later, Lammers was found on the left side of the home area. He managed to dribble past Ndayishimiye and fired in from a tight angle, his effort being touched by Bulka but ending up in Nice's net to make it 0-2.

With their backs against the wall, Boga, Guessand and Bouanani came on to provide the spark that the entire Allianz Riviera had been calling for. A change that paid off! With his first touches, Guessand, on the right side of the Twente box, sent a cross into the area that was pushed away by the defence. Diop followed up well and set up Boga on the left. The Ivorian curled the ball into the far corner of the net, 1-2 (66').

With the momentum swinging towards Nice, Sofiane Diop made a late tackle on Regeer. The referee showed the Moroccan winger the red card. The penalty was harsh and Le Gym found themselves down to 10 men (70'). Down a man, coach Haise's men fought back. Marcin Bulka, then the crossbar and finally Melvin Bard kept hope alive by keeping the danger at bay (78'). There was still hope of a comeback, and from a free-kick on the edge of the box, Clauss came close to equalising, but his curling shot went just over (81'). Soon afterwards, Clauss broke down the right and crossed hard. Melvin Bard picked up the ball on the opposite side and his shot was parried by a Dutch defender. With 10 men against 11, Les Aiglons were fighting back and it was once again Clauss who provided the inspiration. The French international crossed from the edge of the area and Cho pounced on the ball to fire past Tyton, 2-2 (88')! Moments later, Van Rooij was sent off after picking up his second yellow card, and both teams were down to 10 men. Les Aiglons tried their luck to win the game in the closing stages but could not find a way past Tyton.

The Niçois snatched an important point from the jaws of defeat and remain in with a chance of qualifying for the play-offs. At the halfway stage, coach Haise's men are 31st in the table and will need to beat Rangers at home on 28 November to keep their hopes of qualification alive. But before that, the Aiglons host Lille this Sunday in a high stakes Ligue 1 match.