OGC Nice triumphed over Angers (2-1) on Sunday at the Allianz Riviera on Matchday 30 of Ligue 1. Pablo Rosario and Ali Abdi found the back of the net for the team from the Côte d’Azur.

A month and a half later, Le Gym get back to winning ways. Caught in a rough patch since the return of the sunny days, Franck Haise’s men, winless since 1 March and a trip to Saint-Étienne (M24, 1-3), were eager to build on the point snatched in the dying moments at Strasbourg last weekend (M29, 2-2). Mission accomplished on Sunday at the Allianz Riviera.

ROSARIO SHOWED THE WAY

Up against an Angers side fighting to stay in the top flight, the Red and Black approached the match with determination. And they eventually broke the deadlock. Starting for the first time since 11 January in Ligue 1, Badredine Bouanani delivered a delightful ball directly onto the head of Pablo Rosario, who powered in a fierce header to beat Yahia Fofana and give his side the lead (1-0, 36'). Scoring his fourth goal of the season, Nice’s number 8 also led by example: aggressive in the right way, tireless in his efforts, and always available in midfield.

Before this breakthrough, Les Aiglons had struggled to truly threaten SCO’s defence, aside from Bouanani. Alone 25 metres from goal, the former Lille player was the first to take a shot, forcing a save from Fofana early in the match before Ali Abdi attempted a pass towards Gaëtan Laborde, which was also intercepted by the visitors' goalkeeper (8'). Another clear chance: a powerful header from Youssouf Ndayishimiye from a Jonathan Clauss corner, an almost carbon copy of the decisive move at La Meinau last Saturday... and to the opening goal against SCO in the first encounter between the sides. But this time, the ball missed the target by just a few centimetres (27').

ABDI REWARDED

In control of the game against a side disrupted by their effective pressing, Le Gym started the second half at full throttle. Still dominant in the duels, the hosts pushed to score early and were rewarded for their approach by Ali Abdi. It began with another perfectly placed cross from Clauss to the far post, which the Tunisian international met with a diving header that hit the post, bounced off his head, and ended up in the net (2-0, 47').

Just as the hardest part seemed done, the home side inadvertently let Alexandre Dujeux’s men back into the game by losing possession deep in their own half. Young Yassin Belkhdim showed great composure to take advantage and score with Angers’ first shot on target (2-1, 52').

LE GYM HOLD ON TO THEIR 3 POINTS

Without panicking despite this set-back, Coach Haise’s squad maintained control of the match, missing several big chances shortly afterwards. Neither Laborde, just inches short of converting Clauss’s cross into a goal (59'), nor Boudaoui, whose shot lacked the power to beat Fofana (62'), could restore the two-goal lead Les Aiglons were chasing. Substitutes Mohamed-Ali Cho and Sofiane Diop also stood out, with the former delivering a brilliant chipped through ball that the latter volleyed in the box, just missing the target (76').

Despite a few tense moments in the closing stages, Les Aiglons were able to celebrate a well-earned victory with their supporters once the final whistle was blown by referee Mr. Stinat. Now just three points off the podium with four matchdays left in the season, the red and black squad is guaranteed to finish Matchday 30 in at least sixth place, with 51 points on the board. Fully launched into the home stretch, Le Gym faces a major challenge next week, with a trip to the league leaders in Paris scheduled for Friday 27 April at 8:45pm.

Hugo Rondet