Despite dominating and leading for most of the game, Les Aiglons were pegged back in the final moments by AJ Auxerre on Friday at the Allianz Riviera (1-1).

A highly frustrating draw. That’s the best way to sum up the feeling that immediately overtook the Rouge et Noir on Friday night, just moments after the opening match of Matchday 26 of Ligue 1. The three points seemed within reach for Les Aiglons, only to be snatched away in stoppage time by Florian Ayé. Coming off the bench just after the hour mark, the Auxerre striker stunned Marcin Bułka with a powerful shot under the crossbar (1-1, 90+4’).

A cruel ending for a Nice side that had controlled the game for most of the night. Just five days after a tough defeat against Lyon (M25, 0-2), Franck Haise’s men were determined to get back on track at the Allianz Riviera. However, they faced a giant-slaying Auxerre side that had already beaten Nice in the season opener (M1, 1-2) and taken points from both Marseille and PSG. Captain Dante and his teammates initially struggled to break through Christophe Pélissier's well-organised defensive set-up.

GUESSAND ON TARGET AGAIN

Baptiste Santamaria came close to opening the scoring, but his shot from the left side of the box could only find the side netting (33’). It was Evann Guessand, as so often this season, who finally broke the deadlock. Positioned at the far post, he took advantage of a Gaëtan Laborde flick from a Tom Louchet corner, heading the ball home for his 11th Ligue 1 goal of the season. His effort deflected off Kévin Danois before hitting the net behind Donovan Léon (1-0, 38’). It was also the Ivorian international’s 12th goal across all competitions.

While Guessand’s header was one of the few clear-cut chances for the home side in the first half, the second period was played at a completely different rhythm. Revitalised after the break, Les Aiglons increased the intensity in search of a second goal. Opportunities started to rain down on Léon’s goal: an acrobatic attempt from Hicham Boudaoui that missed the target (54’), a half-volley from Melvin Bard that grazed the crossbar (56’), and another strike from Bard that rolled just past the right post (57’).

NICE PILED ON THE PRESSURE

Le Gym had several chances to secure victory, but Auxerre’s goalkeeper pulled off a stunning triple save to deny Tom Louchet and Boudaoui (66’). Late substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho also found himself thwarted by the outstanding Léon when well-positioned at the edge of the box (88’).

Despite their superiority in the second half, Les Aiglons had to finish the match with ten men after Bard was sent off for a foul on Danois (87’). The six minutes of stoppage time ultimately proved fatal for Le Gym, as Florian Ayé’s thunderous strike denied them the victory.

With the international break providing a ten-day rest period, Franck Haise’s squad will have time to recharge before a crucial Côte d’Azur derby against Monaco on Saturday 29 March, at 9.05pm—a vital clash in the race for European qualification.

Hugo Rondet