After trailing 2-0 after eight minutes of the game, Les Aiglons deservedly fell to defeat on Tuesday evening in their penultimate test of pre-season (6-1).

The features of the game

Just as they had in the match in Cardiff three days earlier, the Niçois were caught out by the incisive British side from the get go (1-0, 3'). But whilst the difference would remain at just one against the Welsh side (1-0 defeat), that wasn’t to be the case on Tuesday after a nightmarish first half. The Niçois were unable to get the ball down and play on the soaked Turf Moor pitch, and Burnley were constantly looking for (and succeeding) in their battles. 

Finding their wingers Lennon and Gudmundsson with long cross-field balls, the pair were able to delight in the occasion. One of their balls into the box was turned in after just eight minutes. With Chris Wood once again getting on the end of the ball into the box (2-0). Dominated in every area of the pitch, Les Aiglons were beaten on another two occasions: first from a set-piece (3-0, 18'), and then after losing the ball in their own half (4-0, 34'), with Gudmundsson leaving Cardinale with no chance once again.

You had to wait until the closing moments of the first half in order to see Les Aiglons trouble the opposition defence, but Hérelle didn’t manage to connect with Lees-Melou’s free-kick (45+1'). 

The break didn’t slow down the Premier League side, whose high press continuously troubled the Nice defence. It was therefore only a matter of time until the fifth goal came, and it was that man again - Chris Wood securing his hat-trick in front of his own fans (5-0, 63'). After moving to play through the middle, Allan Saint-Maximin reduced the gap four minutes later, making the most of an excellent ball in from Alexandre Gameiro (5-1, 64'). 

But the English side capped off their strong performance with another successful move. It was second-half sub, Jay Rodriguez who was the last man to get his name on the scoresheet, finishing a cross from the right (6-1, 81'). 

Following this heavy defeat, the Nice squad will return to St. George’s Park for the rest of the trip. Before heading to Germany on Saturday, for their final run-out of the summer (against Wolfsburg).

Coach Vieira’s choices

Although he didn’t change his tactics (4-3-3) from the Cardiff match (0-1), the Nice coach entirely changed his starting eleven.

It was Cardinale in goal, behind a back-four made up of Pelmard on the right, Walter on the left, and the duo of Herelle and Dante through the middle. The midfield three featured Danilo, Thuram and Lees-Melou, whilst the attacking keys were entrusted to Myziane, flanked by Saint-Maximin and Gameiro.

At the break the Nice coach only made one change, Yannis Clémentia came on for Yoan Cardinale, who had picked up a hand injury. During the final half an hour, Coach Vieira sent on Cyprien, Wade, Guessand and Sacko.

The goals

3' The English side get the better of the battle in the box. From six metres out, Chris Wood picked up the ball and opened the scoring. 

8' Chris Wood repeated his feat from an identical position. After a long ball into the box, the New Zealander made the most of Cardinale’s parry to double the score.

18' The Clarets combined from a free-kick, finding Jeff Hendrick, who made things worse for the Niçois.

34' Gudmundsson won the ball 20 metres out from the Nice goal. The Icelandic struck powerfully along the ground and found the back of the net.

63' Chris Wood made the most of a mistake at the back to get his third of the evening.

67' Alexandre Gameiro crossed perfectly into the box for Allan Saint-Maximin, who only needed to tap the ball home.

81' After just coming on, Jay Rodriguez connected with a cross from the right and beat Clémentia.

F.H.
Photos JM.P.

 

 

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