On Saturday, Le Gym fell to defeat against Cardiff in their fifth friendly of the summer (1-0). Against a physical side who proved a real challenge, Nice were caught out from the get go. But they still made the most of the trip to Wales for a good run out.  

The features

A satisfying first half of the match, despite the early goal. A second where they were put under physical pressure but didn’t concede a goal. But in the end, it was a good outing to start their time in the UK. This is a concise summary of the game between Nice and Cardiff. A battle where the Niçois made things more difficult for themselves from the very first minute. From kick-off, the Welsh side found themselves in the Nice box and were caught out by an excellent strike from Joe Ralls. Cardiff pushed for five minutes and, once those difficult moments had passed, Malang Sarr and his teammates played the game in their own way. 

The game proved to be a real clash of styles. The Niçois looked to keep the ball, with short passing. The British side played deep and attacked directly, skipping the midfield. Although the men from the Côte looked good before the break, they couldn’t manage to trouble their hosts, despite two (slightly weak) efforts from Sylvestre, one that was turned behind from Ganago (18’) and another was caught by Etheridge (44’).

Cardiff, who will begin their league campaign in the first week of August, looked to attack with every set piece, and had an off-target header from Mendez-Lang just before the break. The home side dominated the match afterwards, bringing fresh blood and continuing to add plenty of physicality.  

The Bluebirds camped in the Red and Black’s half. Clémentia kept his side in the game, by denying Bogle after a corner (77'), and turning Hoilett’s effort away at the end of the encounter. Tomlin’s free-kick went just over (77'), and the game got harder still in the final quarter of an hour.

But the score didn’t change.  

 

Patrick Vieira's choices 

As Les Aiglons enter a week of three matches, in full pre-season and with a squad to manage, Patrick Vieira came up with a starting 11 similar to the one that started against Standard. The only changes were made to the back four. 

Yannis Clémentia started in goal. 

Patrick Burner played on the right of the defence, Racine Coly on the left. Malang Sarr made his return to the starting 11 - with the captain’s armband on the arm - and played alongside Ibrahim Cissé through the middle.

It was through the middle and up-front that we could find the same players as those from the trip to Belgium.  

Adrien Tameze started in front of the back four, with Eddy Sylvestre and Arnaud Lusamba in front. 

Pedro Brazão played on the right wing of attack, Ignatius Ganago on the left and Ihsan Sacko through the middle.

Wylan Cyprien came on for Adrien Tameze just after the break (52').

Then Myziane Maolida, Allan Saint-Maximin, Andy Pelmard and Paul Wade came on to replace Coly, Lusamba, Brazão and Ganago.

 

The goal 

1' From the first seconds of the game, Joe Ralls picked up the ball on the edge of the box and buried it into the back of the net.

C.D.

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