Traveling to the pitch at Stade Brestois this Saturday, OGC Nice won by the smallest of margins thanks to a goal from Evann Guessand (42nd), decisive to allow the club to win two consecutive matches for the first time times this season.
The Aiglons continue! Victorious at the end of a Côte d'Azur derby won last week against Monaco (2-1), the Rouge et Noir brought down a new major opponent this Saturday, during the 10th day of Ligue 1. Opposed to Brest, always very difficult to maneuver in its lair of Francis-Le Blé, Franck Haise's men delivered a generous match, with two very different periods, but sufficient to win (0-1). And once again, the Nice light came from Evann Guessand. The 23-year-old striker freed his partners by scoring his sixth goal of the season at the very end of the first period.
Organized in their traditional 3-4-3, the Aiglons were able to count on the return of three executives to their eleven: Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Dante. Returns necessary to contain the Brest storm, reputed to be powerful at each start of the match in the small but noisy Finistère enclosure. The first fuses were also lit by the Pirates and by Pierre Lees-Melou. The former Aiglon, offset by Mahdi Camara at the edge of 16.50m, curled a mid-height shot forcing Marcin Bułka to relax to make a nice save (5th).
Abdi twirling, Guessand decisive
But, on the strength of their great success against the Rocher club, the Aiglons have little by little woven their web. No longer beaten in Ligue 1 since September 14 and the trip to OM (J4, 2-0), the Gym did not panic and managed to put its game in place. High pressing, quick recoveries, transitions… the Nice group worked to push their opponent back, hampered by the intensity of the men in blue. Perfectly launched on the left of the area by Mohamed-Ali Cho, Jeremie Boga came very close to validating the highlight by scoring, but Marco Bizot was imperial to repel his cross attempt (18th). Rebelotte a few moments later, with a last Brest rampart once again vigilant to disgust the Gym's twirling left winger, author of a powerful strike from close range (20th).
Carried by an Ali Abdi of the great evenings, the Aiglons did not loosen their grip. A real electric battery on his left flank, the defector from SM Caen posed a constant threat to the opposing goal. The Tunisian international even thought he could celebrate his second decisive pass in 6 days, but his throwback taken into the cage by Cho did not allow the visitors to open the score, the refereeing body refusing the goal due to an offside by Guessand (36th). But more was needed to discourage a forward-looking Gym. Still found on his side, after a great collective action accelerated by Dante and Boga, Abdi crossed hard at the far post… for Guessand, who tackled the ball into the back of the net (0-1, 42nd). Same passer as in Monaco's 1-1, same scorer: the Tunisian and Ivorian internationals speak the same language and when they find each other inspired, the Gym has the last word.
An imperial Bulka
Logically rewarded at the conclusion of the first act, the Aiglons however experienced a very different second period. Faced with Bretons undefeated at home since the first day and a setback against OM, the task could not be so simple. Irresistible in the Champions League and still competitive in Ligue 1 this season, Eric Roy's men reacted strongly, forcing Bułka to increase the number of saves. Careful to repel a smashed header from Ludovic Ajorque (48th), vigilant to deflect Jordan Amavi's tricky shot (54th), quick to clear with his foot a mix-up between Ibrahim Salah and Jonathan Clauss in front of the goal line (75th)… The Pole was the man of the second half, imperial in maintaining Nice's lead. The 1.99m giant came out on top again at the end of regulation time, to slam Lees-Melou's header over his crossbar (89th).
United and concentrated despite the opposing attacks, the Rouge et Noir showed resilience to withstand the shock, sometimes benefiting from a hint of success, like Lees-Melou's enormous strike which shattered Bułka's post (51st).
Determined to achieve a second consecutive success for the first time in all competitions in 2024-2025, the Gym pulled out all the stops and was rewarded for its efforts with a second away success this season. Temporarily placed in 5th place in Ligue 1, two points behind Lille (3rd) who will come to the Allianz Riviera next Sunday, Dante and his team will now head for Europe. On the program: the reception of the Dutch from Twente, Thursday November 7 in the Europa League (6:45 p.m.).
Hugo Rondet
